Reducing Secondhand Smoke on Children - Research Paper Example

Reducing SHS on Children Rodney Theodore Biggs South Reducing SHS on Children Extraneous Variables and Controlling Them Extraneous variables are unwanted variables that affect the relationship between the variables examined by the experimenter. These variables are unwanted because they add errors to an experiment; they may damage the validity of a study. A researcher identifies extraneous variables by using both the experimental group and the control group in an experiment. Control of the extraneous variables in an experiment involves using standardized, validated methods as well as instruments for carrying out a study.

In addition to checking that observers and testers give reliable data prior to the study, the researcher uses equivalent comparison groups to rule out the effect of unusual scores in a study (Kerr & Wood, 2010).Research Instrument That Address the QuestionA research instrument is referred to as a systematic and standardized tool for collection of data. It involves all types of research questionnaires as well as standardized scales (Tran, 2009). According to Tran, the instrument to be used in a study must be appropriate, valid as well as reliable.

The research instruments to be used in addressing secondhand smoke (SHS) on children will include questionnaires and standardized scales. The research instruments are essential in carrying out a study; they aid in the collection of data that is used in answering the research question of a given study (Tran, 2009).Description of Research Instrument SelectedThere are many factors that researchers considers before making a final decision on which data collection tool to use in carrying out their study.

These factors include the usability, reliability, and validity of the instrument. Before drafting a questionnaire and using a standardized scale in carrying out a study on reducing SHS on children, a researcher carries out a systematic review of the literature in order to determine if the instrument will measure what it is required to measure and if the results of the study provided by the research tool are valid. The researcher also evaluates whether the use of the instrument would result in the same results if the study were repeated.

A researcher first determines if the instrument he or she is about to use measures a construct as intended before selecting the instrument for a study. The researcher also checks whether the constructs in the instrument identified matches the construct conceptually defined in the study. Additionally, the researcher finds out if the instrument can be used in the public domain before using it in the study (Blankenship, 2009).Intervention DescriptionThe California Health Interview Survey on rates of exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke shows (SHS) that many children under the age of 12 are exposed to SHS in their respective homes.

The survey associated SHS to existence of adult and teen smokers in the household. The survey scale by Subin et al. (2014), shows that exposure to nicotine correlates with an offspring’s IQ. In the study, the levels of cotinine, the main metabolite of nicotine, in the children’s urine was determined by collecting urine samples. The result of the study showed that there is an inverse association between learning scores and serum cotinine concentration. In relation to this, a ratio scale will be used in this study because it can be used to distinguish greater and lesser amounts of nicotine in the urine sample (Mangal, 2013).

The interval scale will also be used in this study because it has the distinguishing characteristic of a ratio scale; it has a zero point. This zero allows a researcher to tell the cotinine level in a child’s urine. Intervention for reducing secondhand smoke on children included providing a multi-component program to the parents by trained counselors for about three months. Counselors were fully informed about the environment that contributes to the secondhand smoking of children. Procedures in Collecting DataThe using of the research tools obliges the use of different variables in assessing the factors.

The data for the experiment will be collected from different variables via use of surveys and questionnaires. In this study, self-administered questionnaires will be used. This method will allow the respondents to perceive the information as well as comprehend it before responding. The variables to be addressed in the questionnaires include socioeconomic status, alcohol and tobacco use by expectant mothers, development histories of children, SHS status of children, and paternal education. A sample of urine will be collected from children belonging from these variables.

The level of cotinine concentration in each sample of urine will be measured and recorded. The result will then be determined from the analysis of these factors.ReferencesBlankenship, D. (2009). Applied research and evaluation methods in recreation. New York: Human Kinetics.Kerr, J. & Wood, M. (2010). Basic steps in planning nursing research: From question to proposal. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Mangal, S. (2013). Research methodology in behavioral sciences. New York: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.Subin, P.

, Soo-Churl, C., Yun-Chul, H., Jae-Won, K., Min-Sup, S., Hee, Y., Doug, H., Jae, C. & Bung-Nyun, K. (2014). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and children’s intelligence at 8–11 years of age. Environ Health Perspect; DOI:10.1289/ehp.1307088Tran, T. (2009). Pocket guide to developing cross-cultural measurement in social work research and evaluation. New York: Oxford University Press.