Diagnosis and Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Research Paper Example

Research methods Introduction The significance of this research is that it explains the importance of a pilot study in a project. In addition, the paper explains the structure of a pilot study that is effective in its role. In this case, the paper evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of using questionnaires as a way to obtain primary data for the research. Moreover, the paper intends to evaluate how respondents of a questionnaire provide information and whether the information can be reliable for a given study. According to Grice (2002), the design and structure of the questionnaire are important variables as they determine the level of information that the research will obtain and to an extent, the quality of the finding. Accordingly, a pilot questionnaire depicts a scenario where the researcher will have the first round of questions that are primarily for testing whether the source of information will be feasible and reliable for a particular research. As such, the second and final round of questionnaire is dependent on the rectifications that were done from the findings of the pilot research. in this case, the researcher will make modifications to the final questionnaire depending on the outcome of the piloting questionnaire. The aim of this paper is to identify various variables of a pilot study. In this case, the study will examine the entire process of a pilot study from the time the questionnaire is prepared through to the analysis of the feedback from the interviewee. What I did and how I did it To achieve the goals set, my group selected the topic “Children with ADHA hyperactivity disorder in primary schools”. In this case, our main concern was various difficulties that children with this condition face when relating with other children in a school setup. Further, we were interested in finding out various challenges that ADHA children encountered during learning. This is important as we sought to establish various ways through which the lives of these lids would improve. The main point of our survey was to find the relationship between the treatment given to children with ADHA hyperactivity disorder in primary schools and their performance and wellness in general. Sample The first step was to identify an appropriate sample from which the primary information was to be obtained. In this case, we picked the most convenient for the pilot project to give us feedback for the questionnaire. Since our study focussed on primary school kids, we identified the best options for the questions. This is because the questions required verification and approval from the University of Greenwich Research Ethics Committee (UREC). The significance of this approval by the UREC is to ensure that the questions are prepared ethically and this they will not have negative influence and perception to the young children. Similarly, we required to fulfil the requirement of properly conducted researches according to the rules and regulations of the university, The Craft of Research (2012) Questionnaire Grice (2002) argues that the nature and structure of the questionnaire determines the quality, quantity and reliability of the data that we receive from a sample group. As such, the design of the questionnaire took into consideration the best practices and theories regarding the same. We designed various questions that target specific information concerning our research question. Part of the questions was open where we asked the respondent to give general information concerning the subject. Similarly, these open questions were used to get general information concerning personal information of the respondent. In addition, both quantitative and qualitative date was targeted from the open questions. Apart from the open-end questions, we used dichotomous questions design. In these questions, we sought a direct answer from the respondent. These answers ranged from yes/no questions to those that requires figures and statistics. In these questions, the respondents were required to explain the kind of treatment that the children with ADHA hyperactivity disorder are treated in their school. In this case, we intended to know whether they receive special attention from their teachers and other students. Since these kids are special learners, we wanted to learn whether they are categorized as such. To achieve this, we used multiple-choice questions so as to protect the children concerned from possible stigma. It is important to state here that the dichotomous questions and the multiple-choice one were intertwined and disguised to provide more information on one or more questions. In this case, the multiple-choice complemented the yes/no questions to get sufficient feedback. Taking into consideration that this pilot study will be an evidence of data gathering on children with ADHA hyperactivity disorder in primary schools, I had to gain knowledge about the best possible theories or approaches for my report. I started looking deeper into identifying my research methods for my investigation choosing which method of investigation is appropriate to gather data always remembering the ethical issues, validity and reliability. I have explored and learned about several methods and approaches for collecting data such surveys, experiments, ethnography, action research, case study and testing.I have analyzed all elements of research styles and decided that survey methodology would be most appropriate, in particular the interview or questioners. Literature review has a big impact for this project and hence I have to make sure that literature is advanced to support the data findings, Cohen at al (2011). Thus drawing a plan for my research I had to be thoughtful of the main purpose of my findings, what do I need to know and why, most importantly how do I get to understand the situation so my investigation would have its significance and originality. Issues faced during investigation It sounded an easy task when I was presented with the topic of my research project that was any issue chosen by us in relation with primary education, a topic that I had interest to know more about it. After some literature review I did came across with my first difficulty of this investigation as even I was going to investigate about behaviour management in the classrooms of primary schools I could not still cover everything due to limited time for this assignment. Hence the best way to write about this subject effectively was to narrow it down as much as it was possible. Thus, I had to go back to further reading and choose more narrowed topic in relation with management behaviour in schools. There were many issues faced during this assignment such as; selecting my samples in a way that will enable me to generalize the results to this sample and how to select an appropriate people for this task. Validity and reliability played the main role I had to take extra care of my findings and my literature search, as Validity and reliability are two important aspects in order to approve and validate the quantitative research. Thus, without validity and accuracy research of this assignment would be pointless and it will lose its utility. I had to be thoughtful of ethical issues how would participants feel about it; embarrassed, uncomfortable or maybe for many parents may feel sensitive to talk about ADHD disorder. As I had to interview children for my finding I had to be extra careful not to harm them in any aspect or make them feel uncomfortable at any time. Lessons from the Pilot and Improvement Strategies It has already been stated that the significance of this pilot research is to identify various shortcomings so that the final project will be free from errors and uncertainties. Further, the pilot research is crucial to do rectifications in the research to be in harmony with acceptable practices and principles of a properly conducted research. Having said that, we can now look at various lessons that we got from the piloting project: During planning and formulation of the questionnaires, the main challenge we experienced is coming up with questions that are suitable for the level of our respondent. In this case, it was quite a task to come up with a set of questions that balances between the depth of information that we required and the ethical issues surrounding primary school based research. as such, it required a lot of deep thinking and analysis to come up with questions that meet the criteria defined above. This implies that it took several attempts to formulate questions that sailed through an ethical test. To improve on this, we have resulted to do more internet-based research so as to equip ourselves with more guidelines regarding this thorny issues. Basically, we have been able to obtain samples of questionnaire that are suitable for the primary school level and hence we shall have easy time with the research in future. Another challenge that we experienced was the reception we received in the primary school that we intended to carry out the research. we noted that the teachers and the workers received us with contempt as they did not distinguish between carrying out a study and investigating for purpose of prosecution. Since the issue we are investigating touches on professional practices, the teachers felt intimidated by our presence. They thought that we are carrying out an investigation to prosecute or to take other actions against the offenders. As such, we had a problem with cooperation and hence the feedback was compromised. To solve this issue, we have taken a step to conduct a status meeting with the school prior to conducting the study. In the meeting, we shall identify ourselves and explain to the teachers concerned on our mission. During the meeting, we shall discuss the questionnaires with the stakeholders so that all of their concerns are streamlined. This will make us obtain unbiased and undistorted information, as the fear will have been eradicated. Lastly, we faced some challenges when selecting the samples. In this case, it was hard to pick suitable candidates in a way that will enable me to generalize the results to this sample and how to select an appropriate people for this task. Validity and reliability played the main role I had to take extra care of my findings and my literature search, as Validity and reliability are two important aspects in order to approve and validate the quantitative research. Thus, without validity and accuracy, research of this assignment would be pointless and it will lose its utility. I had to be thoughtful of ethical issues how would participants feel about it; embarrassed, uncomfortable or maybe for many parents may feel sensitive to talk about ADHD disorder. To curb this uncertainty, I have conducted sufficient research regarding how to handle sensitive research, especially when the issue of stigmatization is real. Conclusion From this report I have learnt much more about interviews a point made for fucture was the timing issue and ethical issues. In general, a pilot study was very important and good experience for me as it enabled me to investigate and gain knowledge about my chosen subject. It also allowed me to address a number of logistical issues for further in depth study. I have made me realized importance of ADHD disorder in children and gave me an extent of knowledge of the strategies and methods used for children with ADHD disorder that may be used for my future employment. References: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Management of ADHD in Children, Young People and Adults (2009) Avaliable at: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/.../attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-ad. Accessed: 19th November 2014 British Educational Research Association(2011). Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research 2011. University Of London Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/.../ethical-guidelines-for-educational-research Accessed: 28th November 2014 Cohen.L, Manion.L, Morrison.K (2011) Research Methods in Education. 7th Edition Oxon,Reutledge Grice.K (2002) Eligibility under IDEA for Other Health Impaired Children Available at: www.sog.unc.edu/pubs/electronicversions/slb/slbsum02/article2.pdf Accessed: 18th November 2014 National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health(2009) Available at:www. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK - 2009 - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Accessed: 25fth November 2014 The Craft of Research (2012) Avaliable at: www. books.google.co.uk/The Craft of Research; Wayne Booth, Gregory Colomb and Joseph M. Williamsbooks?isbn=0226062643 page 36 Accessed: 28th October Appendix A Questionnaire: 1. How old are you? below 10 years 10-12 above 12 not important 2. have you ever heard of children with ADHA condition? Never yes no Not sure I do not Know somehow 3. Do you know of some kids who have problems concentrating in class? yes no 4. Approximately how many kids in your class has this condition? 5. Do you think teachers give these kid sufficient attention? yes no 6. Do you think these kids with ADHD are comfortable being in our school? (Mark as many as appropriate) yes no 7. how do you help them (you as a student) 8. In word, describe how other kids treat these kids with attention difficulty 9. Do you agree that more need to be done to take care of these kids? Yes No 10. do you think these kids need to be taken to a special school? yes no 11. How likely is it that a child with attention problem gets mocked by their classmates? (Feedback) Not at all likely 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Extremely likely 10 Appendix B Cover Letter for questionnaire To whom it may concern, We hereby notify you that we are carrying out a pilot study in your school concerning children with ADHD disorder. In the course of our study, we are going to use questionnaires so that we can learn various aspects concerning their conditions; challenges and difficulties they experience. In this case, we would like to place our request to allow us a few minutes so as we can get the learners to respond to our questions. We would like to let you know that the questionnaires have been approved and determined to be ethically sound for primary school level kid. The response received will be used solely for the purpose of this pilot research and hence will not be shared with any other party. Further, we have set the deadline for receiving back the questionnaires on (date) and hence we really urge your office to enhance cooperation. For more information regarding the questionnaire, please feel free to contact us via the email address provided. Signed Email address Read More