Quantitative Article Critique
Where does this research fall under based on the intent of the researcher? Explain in depth
The study falls under the category of evaluation research. Evaluation research focuses on the processes and outcomes of attempted solutions. The current study is a pilot test aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of an asthma intervention program for school children “Okay with Asthma”. The research study was specifically aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the program in improving the asthma knowledge and attitudes of children towards their own illness.
Methodology
Define the specific method used by the researchers/authors
The researchers employed a quasi-experimental design. A quasi-experimental design is an experimental design that tests cause and effect relationships. Unlike true experimental designs though, quasi-experimental designs do not use randomization. Instead, it employs other principles to explain observed effects. The researcher has no complete control over the assignment of subjects to treatments. Alternatively, the treatment may not be amenable to manipulation.
Provide the classification of research by the nature of the design. Explain in depth
The research can be classified as a quantitative study based on the nature of its design. This is because it employed a non-randomized time series design to evaluate the effects of an intervention. Quantitative data was collected on the knowledge and attitudes of the children over an extended period, that is, before and after implementation of the asthma program.
Is the aim of the study exploratory or confirmatory
The aim of the current study was to explore the effectiveness of the “okay with Asthma” program in improving the knowledge and attitudes of school-going children with the disease. The aim of the study is thus exploratory.
Setting (where/when/ how data is collected):
How did researchers/authors select and recruit their research subjects? Explain
The researchers recruited the participants of the study through non-probability convenience sampling. In this method of sampling, the researcher selects all units that he or she comes into contact with at a particular time. In the study under review, the authors recruited participants by sending letters to 169 families of asthmatic children aged 8-11 years enrolled in one of the sixteen participating rural public elementary schools. Fifty three of these families expressed interest in the study by returning a self-addressed postcard.
Based on this article, identify the independent variable
The independent variable in this study is the “Okay with Asthma” intervention.
Based on this article, identify the dependent variable
The dependent variables in this study are the participants’ knowledge and attitudes towards asthma.
Any confounding variables noted? If so, why are these variables considered confounding?
Potential confounders in the study included the children’s age, computer skills, participation in other asthma intervention programs, learning preferences, and current asthma care. These variables are considered confounding because they have the potential to influence the outcomes of the intervention. For instance, the learning preferences of a child can influence the outcome of the study because the intervention is computer-based.
Participants included in the study
The participants included in the study were those whose families expressed interest to the study. The other inclusion criteria were ability to complete consent forms, lack of cognitive, behavioral, or psychiatric disturbances identified by a school nurse, and children with moderate to severe asthma on the NAEPP-recommended rating scale.
Participants not included in the study
The participants not included in the study were those who could not complete assent forms, had cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances as assessed by the school nurse, and children whose asthma did not rate as moderate to severe on the NAEPP-recommended rating scale.
References
Wyatt, T. H. & Hauenstein, E. J. (2008). Pilot testing Okay with Asthma: An online asthma intervention for school-age children. The Journal of School of Nursing, 24(3), 145-150.
