Chapter 3 Methodologyintroductionthis Stage Tries To Explain The Vari ✓ Solved
Chapter 3: Methodology Introduction This stage tries to explain the various ways in which the study can be accomplish. The entire process revolves around getting the correct data for the experiment. The method to use will need to be one to get the correct data and a method that will not be very hard to implement. Since the research requires two types of data, as seen in the literature review, it will be vital to achieving a methodology that will achieve both of these. The research will have to explain how the data obtained will be analyzed to give the required information.
The research question, which is, in a pediatric population with HTN, what is the relationship between the contributing risk factors such as obesity, inadequate physical activity, and race with behavioral modification? is better answered with the correct methodology. The methodology process has to be efficient and reliable, which will be portrayed in the chapter as shown below. As discussed above, this process is very important, and in understanding this, it is clear that it is the most vital part of the research. The methodology will revolve around understanding whether blood pressure will be the perfect value to understand the relationship between the two scenarios: the risk of obesity and the factors contributing to the behavior.
Thus, it will be essential to understand the correct methodology since an individual's health heavily influences blood pressure. As seen from the hypothesis, it will be easier to prove that kids and teens do better when they adopt behavioral lifestyle modifications toward a disease such as hypertension compared with the kids and teens who do not intend to modify the behavior (Ihemeje et al., 2016). Since the parents will be available, it will be an excellent chance to conduct a short survey to get helpful information on the children. Assumptions The information here will be knowing the children's diet and their living at home, which will be necessary for the research. With this information, it will be necessary for an assumption to be made for some of these values.
The necessary information that will have to be assumed for the research will include specific data for the parents, certain data for the children's values, and data about the way of living the children experienced. All for the data that would be assumed would be essential since it would help analyze the study. Some of the data that will have to be assumed will be any data that will not be discovered. The assumptions will thus be very important since they assist the research process. The first assumption for the research will be that the details the parents will provide will be correct.
Most of the parents may offer biased information to seem reasonable at their parenting. Assuming that the parents' details will be correct will assist to give feedback for the information that needs to be analyzed for the research. The research process relies very much on this information, and it will thus be essential to find ways to enforce the parents to provide accurate information. Assuring the parents that the data they provide will be kept in confidence will assist them to have confidence and thus provide accurate information. The parents could also be informed that their data will help more children and families with same condition.
Another assumption based on the research will be that the factors that will affect the rise in blood pressure in children. All the factors that might cause this will be assumed, and only the facts relevant to the research will be included in the research. Issues such as historical family background will have to be assumed and rely on the results obtained from the research. This helps in declaring a value based on the research, thus providing a required conclusion based on the data. Research Design The research design helps declare the proper steps that should be taken to determine the results of the research.
This study will be based on the results obtained from a quasi-experiment on the students' blood pressure and the answers from the short survey for the parents. A good research design ensures that the results are reliable, and that the data could offer the best results. The reason for selecting this is because the design also revolves around the fact of trying to ascertain the influence of one variable on a dependent variable. As discussed above, the research design is essential for this study. It is important to determine if high blood pressure is caused by the factors being tested, and what is the relationship between these variables.
All of the processes included in the entire research will determine whether the tested factors are responsible or related to the elevated blood pressure in the participants. Other designs are also effective in declaring a solution for this research, but as discussed earlier, the research will be based on the experiment to get the blood pressure values of the kids. The research will also have to determine whether variables such as obesity, low physical activity, race, and behavioral modification play a role in elevating blood pressure. This could thus be said to be the main reason why the selected research design is experimental. Sample The research will be based on a certain number of children and parents.
The selected number will have to be chosen since they will represent the fundamental research that will conclude onto children at large. The selected number of children will be regarded as being the sample of the population. This will be an important stage for this study since it will determine the results and conclusion of the research. Based on the importance of the research and the variables being determined, selecting the sample will revolve around choosing the children based on different backgrounds. Determining whether HTN in children is caused by variables such as obesity and race will require that the sample be evaluated to determine whether these causes are the leading causes of this issue.
Students from different backgrounds will also be chosen to determine if the social background could be considered a cause. A certain sample of students with these qualities will thus be chosen to represent the different backgrounds that are available. Obesity, physical activity, race and behavior are all the variables that must be considered when choosing the sample. This means that the entire process of choosing the sample will include checking backgrounds, as explained above. Out of all the available students, a sample of 15 will be enough to experiment.
The sample will have all the various attributes associated with the research to support the results. The size of the sample, as explained, will be a minimum of 15 students. This sample size is used due to the time constraints and restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic; thus, all the required variables would be determined by being found in the sample. These factors will ensure that it will be easier to determine what factor or children with which characteristics were more prone to high blood pressure when calculating and analyzing the sample. The students would have to be of a similar age to ensure that age does not count as a factor or variable.
This means that the children being chosen to be in the same age group. Thus, this would make when analyzing the data since the age would be similar, we would not include age as one factor that can cause high blood pressure. Excluding age, as a factor would make the analysis process to be easier in every aspect possible. Data Collection It will begin by getting permission from the parents voluntarily. Permission would have to be collected from the parents, and the perfect way to do this is to go to parents who already know each other.
Targeting a single class to obtain the data would be the perfect strategy for obtaining our sample since it would mean that the children are of the same age group. The parents knowing each other would act as a bonus since they would convince each other if, in any case, one of them have doubts. The study is meant to help families with children with elevated blood pressure to understand the associated risk factors, thus understanding the correct measures to be taken. Since the parents would also be part of the research voluntarily, they will feel more included, giving the sample permission to be used. For the children, verbal consent will be required along with the parent’s written consent.
The blood pressure results will need to be recorded next to their details. This would make it easier to analyze the data. For the parents, the data would be obtained through the use of questionnaires. The data would assist in ensuring variables such as the diet the children were undergoing to note the differences to be used in the analysis. No form of payment will be used thus ensuring ethical considerations. Below is the questionnaire that the parents will be supposed to fill so as to assist with the research.
Paper for above instructions
Chapter 3: MethodologyIntroduction
This chapter articulates the methodological framework that underpins the research aimed at examining the interplay between various contributing factors of hypertension (HTN) in a pediatric population. The research will investigate the relationships between obesity, inadequate physical activity, race, and behavioral modification concerning blood pressure levels in children. Essential for the efficacy of this study is the collection of accurate data through a methodology that is both reliable and pragmatic. The methodology will navigate through the identification of appropriate data types and detail how this information will ultimately facilitate the analysis necessary for drawing conclusions about the research question.
Research Design
The chosen research design is a quasi-experimental framework, which allows for the observation of the effects of specific independent variables (e.g., obesity, race, and physical activity) on the dependent variable of blood pressure. This approach provides a robust mechanism for assessing causation without random assignment, which is often infeasible in pediatric samples due to ethical and logistical constraints (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002). The quasi-experimental design is particularly well-suited for this study as it accommodates natural groupings and provides a means of manipulating the independent variable while observing dependent variables in real-world settings.
A combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be employed to yield a comprehensive understanding of the relationships among the study variables. The quantitative component will involve the collection of blood pressure readings as well as the administration of questionnaires aimed at gathering data on parents’ perceptions of their child's health and lifestyle habits. The qualitative aspect will permit exploration of parents’ insights into social and environmental factors that may influence child health, thereby enhancing the overall interpretive richness of the data collected.
Sample Selection
The sample for the study will consist of 15 children from varying backgrounds to ensure an inclusive representation of the pediatric population. These individuals will be selected based on specific characteristics, including obesity status, physical activity levels, and demographic factors such as race. It is vital that participants are of a similar age range to control for age-related influences on blood pressure (Wang et al., 2016). Stratified sampling techniques will be utilized, enabling a detailed examination of the different backgrounds from which participants are drawn, ensuring that all relevant variables are accounted for in the analysis.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and in consideration of logistical constraints, a sample size of 15 is deemed appropriate to ensure sufficient data while complying with safety regulations. The selection will focus on children who are similar in age, between 8-12 years, to mitigate age as a confounding variable. This age cohort is significant, as this is a critical period for the emergence of lifestyle habits that can affect long-term health outcomes (Freedman et al., 2017).
Data Collection Methods
Data collection will commence with obtaining informed consent from both parents and children. Written consent will be secured from the parents, along with verbal assent from the children. To facilitate this, a meeting will be organized with parents from a specified class, where the purpose and the significance of the study will be clearly outlined. This communal approach aims to bolster trust and encourage participation (Hennink, Hutter, & Bailey, 2011).
The primary sources of data will include:
1. Blood Pressure Measurements: Blood pressure readings will be taken using validated equipment. This data will be documented alongside each participant's demographic information, height, weight, and any other relevant health indicators.
2. Parent Questionnaires: A structured questionnaire will be designed to gather information regarding the children’s dietary habits, levels of physical activity, socio-economic status, and family history of hypertension. The questionnaire will comprise both closed and open-ended questions to facilitate comprehensive data capture.
The questionnaire will be designed to include key domains such as:
- Dietary practices (e.g., frequency of fruit and vegetable intake).
- Physical activity levels (e.g., daily minutes of exercise).
- Socio-demographic variables (e.g., race and family income).
- Behavioral modifications made by the children or parents regarding health and wellness.
Each parent will be the primary respondent for the questionnaire, with careful attention paid to ensuring the clarity and simplicity of language to optimize understanding and thereby enhance the accuracy of the information provided (Vogt et al., 2014).
Data Analysis
Following data collection, analysis will be performed using statistical methods suitable for quasi-experimental designs. Descriptive statistics will be utilized initially to summarize demographic information and identify baseline characteristics of participants. Inferential statistical analyses, such as regression models or ANOVA, will then be employed to examine the relationships between the identified independent variables (obesity, physical activity, race) and the dependent variable (blood pressure levels) (Field, 2013).
Qualitative data gathered from parental insights will be analyzed thematically to identify patterns and recurring themes that may contribute to an enhanced understanding of the contextual factors influencing child health. This mixed-methods approach will allow for triangulation of data, thereby strengthening the reliability and validity of the study findings (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018).
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations are paramount in social research, particularly when involving children and their families. The study will adhere to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, ensuring that participation is voluntary and that informed consent is properly obtained. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the research process, and data will be reported in aggregate form to protect participant identity. Given the absence of monetary compensation, the emphasis will be placed on the potential benefits of the study for broader community knowledge and health improvement outcomes for children with hypertension (American Psychological Association, 2017).
Conclusion
In summary, the methodology selected for this research encompasses a quasi-experimental design that captures both quantitative and qualitative data, allowing for an extensive exploration of factors influencing hypertension in a pediatric population. By employing rigorous sampling and data collection techniques, the research aims to provide valuable insights into how behavioral modifications can mitigate health risks associated with hypertension.
References
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10. World Health Organization. (2021). Guidelines for the management of hypertension in children. Retrieved from [WHO Link].