What was the objective of this validation study?
Measurement and Operationalization Please read the following research article: Sharek, P.J., Mayer, M.L., Loewy, L., et al. (2002). Agreement among measures of asthma status: A prospective study of low-income children with moderate to severe asthma. Pediatrics, 110 (4), 797-804. (Available via EBSCO Medline) The original full research study by Sharek et al. was about assessing the effectiveness of a disease management program for children with asthma, the findings of which are presented elsewhere in a different publication. This study publication utilizes the original data but focuses on examining different measures of asthma status. In this assignment, you will analyze this validation study. (Note - do not discuss the original intervention study). Please answer the following questions in about 4 pages: 1. What was the objective of this validation study? 2. What is the relevance/importance of the study? 3. What was the sampling frame, and how were the participants recruited? 4. What variables were analyzed? What do these variables measure? How did the researchers operationalize these variables? Use the following table (add rows as needed): Variable (name) Variable description Operationalization 5. What does a high/low correlation finding between measure A and measure B mean? 6. Briefly describe the results. 7. What were the conclusions? What are the implications for asthma care in children? What would you say are the implications for further research? Case Assignment Expectations: Use information from the assigned journal article to provide your responses to the specific questions that I have posed above. LENGTH: Approximately 4 pages typed and double-spaced The following items will be assessed in particular: 1. PRECISION: Each of the questions of the assignment is specifically addressed in the paper. 2. CLARITY: The paper reads clearly (i.e., it is not confusing) and is well-structured. 3. BREADTH: The paper presents appropriate breadth covering the questions of the assignment. 4. DEPTH: The paper presents points that lead to a deeper understanding of the matters and/or issues being discussed and integrates several points into coherent conclusions. 5. CRITICAL THINKING: You set aside your own personal biases and instead approach the subject matter using available scholarly evidence. You consider the strengths and weaknesses of competing arguments/perspectives on this topic. Having read these scholarly sources, you make a judgement as to the merit of the arguments presented therein. Keep in mind that \"A\" papers are truly exceptional works that go beyond simply answering the questions. Additional expectations for the assignment: 1. Your references and citations should be consistent with a particular formatting style, such as APA. 2. Your response should be based on scholarly material, such as peer-reviewed articles, white papers, technical papers, etc.. Do not include information from non-scholarly materials such as Wikis, encyclopedias, www(dot)freearticles(dot)com (or similar websites). 3. Your response should incorporate the objectives of the module with the requirements of this assignment. Your Case paper will be further evaluated based on the following criteria: Precision (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor) • Each question and or assignment requirement is addressed in the paper • Accuracy of your answers, key points and supporting discussion I really need an A grade for this paper thus do your very best!
Measurement and Operationalization
Please read the following research article:
Sharek, P.J., Mayer, M.L., Loewy, L., et al. (2002). Agreement among measures of asthma status: A prospective study of low-income children with moderate to severe asthma. Pediatrics, 110 (4), 797-804. (Available via EBSCO Medline)
The original full research study by Sharek et al. was about assessing the effectiveness of a disease management program for children with asthma, the findings of which are presented elsewhere in a different publication.
This study publication utilizes the original data but focuses on examining different measures of asthma status.
In this assignment, you will analyze this validation study. (Note - do not discuss the original intervention study).
Please answer the following questions in about 4 pages:
1. What was the objective of this validation study?
2. What is the relevance/importance of the study?
3. What was the sampling frame, and how were the participants recruited?
4. What variables were analyzed? What do these variables measure? How did the researchers operationalize these variables? Use the following table (add rows as needed):
|
Variable (name) |
Variable description |
Operationalization |
5. What does a high/low correlation finding between measure A and measure B mean?
6. Briefly describe the results.
7. What were the conclusions? What are the implications for asthma care in children? What would you say are the implications for further research?
Case Assignment Expectations:
Use information from the assigned journal article to provide your responses to the specific questions that I have posed above.
LENGTH: Approximately 4 pages typed and double-spaced
The following items will be assessed in particular:
1. PRECISION: Each of the questions of the assignment is specifically addressed in the paper.
2. CLARITY: The paper reads clearly (i.e., it is not confusing) and is well-structured.
3. BREADTH: The paper presents appropriate breadth covering the questions of the assignment.
4. DEPTH: The paper presents points that lead to a deeper understanding of the matters and/or issues being discussed and integrates several points into coherent conclusions.
5. CRITICAL THINKING: You set aside your own personal biases and instead approach the subject matter using available scholarly evidence. You consider the strengths and weaknesses of competing arguments/perspectives on this topic. Having read these scholarly sources, you make a judgement as to the merit of the arguments presented therein.
Keep in mind that "A" papers are truly exceptional works that go beyond simply answering the questions.
Additional expectations for the assignment:
1. Your references and citations should be consistent with a particular formatting style, such as APA.
2. Your response should be based on scholarly material, such as peer-reviewed articles, white papers, technical papers, etc.. Do not include information from non-scholarly materials such as Wikis, encyclopedias, www(dot)freearticles(dot)com (or similar websites).
3. Your response should incorporate the objectives of the module with the requirements of this assignment.
Your Case paper will be further evaluated based on the following criteria:
Precision (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- Each question and or assignment requirement is addressed in the paper
- Accuracy of your answers, key points and supporting discussion
Clarity (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- The paper is well organized, concise, reads clearly, and it is not confusing.
Breadth (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- The paper presents appropriate breadth covering the assignment questions/requirements
Depth (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- Presents key points that lead to deeper matters and issues
- Integrates several points into coherent conclusions
Critical Thinking (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- The paper demonstrates good understanding and synthesis of the module background material
- Logically incorporates key concepts presented in the background material into the overall analyses, key points and supporting discussions
- Present well-reasoned conclusions and positions as well as convincing arguments in support of the same
Writing Mechanics
- Grammar (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- Spelling (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- Vocabulary (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
- Referencing (Excellent; Good; Average; Poor)
Additional considerations to keep in mind while working on your case assignments:
Originality and Use of directly quoted material
- The purpose of each assignment is for you to present your understanding and synthesis of the background material and key concepts. Accordingly, this must be accomplished substantially in your own words.
- Use directly quoted material sparingly and only when preserving the exact words of an author is necessary. For purposes of this course, rarely should directly quoted material represent more than 5-10 percent of your entire case paper’s content. Composing a paper patched together from mostly quoted material is not acceptable.
- Be sure to properly reference all directly quoted material and include the in-text citations.
Grades
- A paper that answers all assignments questions and supports that same with good key points, well supported discussions and quality references will earn a solid “B” grade.
- Please remember that “A” papers are exceptional works that go beyond just answering the questions and provide insightful answers.
Article Research Review
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What was the objective of this validation study?
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationships between the different instruments used to measure the severity/condition of asthma disease over time. The researchers aimed to find out if different measures of the status of asthma over time give similar results, hence the degree of their reliability for application in research and practice.
What is the relevance/importance of the study?
The study is relevant as it explores a health problem that affects a large number of children worldwide, especially in the U.S. (Sherek, et al., 2002; Silvers & Lang, 2012). The study is significant because its research findings will help determine better disease interventions that healthcare providers and parents of asthmatic children would apply to improve the quality of care offered to children, and consequently minimize the negative effects of asthmatic symptoms. The study is also significant as one of its objectives is to help avoid redundancy in the use of instruments that measure the similar variables (symptoms). In addition, the study findings will benefit future studies not only by adding to the existing literature in the subject, but also by attempting to formulate reliable measures for asthma status over time, which would provide accurate data for application in homes and clinical settings.
What was the sampling frame, and how were the participants recruited?
The sampling frame was randomized as subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. Recruitment of the participants was done through referrals from pediatricians, health care centers, university medical centers, and advertisements in schools and local centers handling asthmatic children. 119 subjects were then selected over phone through interviews to ensure ideal subjects (those diagnosed with asthmatic symptoms in the last 6 months, were aged 5-12 years, and receiving treatment) were chosen.
What variables were analyzed? What do these variables measure? How did the researchers operationalize these variables? Use the following table (add rows as needed):
The variables analyzed by the study include; physiologic status, clinical status, health care utilization, functional health status, patient education, and satisfaction.
Variable (name)Variable descriptionOperationalizationphysiologic statusCondition of bodily functions Measures of child’s breathing (difficulties in breathing, waking at night)clinical statusSeverity of asthmatic symptomsDiary records of frequency of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, asthma attacks per week.health care utilizationLevel of healthcare receivedDiary records of frequency of doctor visits and access to healthcare services.functional health statusPhysical health status of the bodyDiary records of social activity of the child such as ability to perform physical activities and attend schoolpatient educationLevel of parents educationLevel of parental support and ability to effectively use healthcare services.
What does a high/low correlation finding between measure A and measure B mean?
A high correlation valued between measure A and measure B mean that the two measures/instruments accurately measure the same variable/symptom or set of variables/symptoms (Brase & Brase, 2010). It therefore means that measure A can be used effectively without the nee...