Analysing Research Literature - Essay Example

?Analysing Research Literature Table of Contents Introduction 3 Critical Analysis 4 Conclusion and Discussion 9 References 11 Introduction The journal ‘Exploring opportunities available and perceived barriers to physical activity engagement in children and young people with Down syndrome’ by Downs, S. J., Boddy, L. M., Knowles, Z. R., Fairclough, S. J., & Stratton, G. published in the year 2013 signifies the various aspects in relation to Down syndrome (DS) which include health problems and an hereditary cause that is responsible for intellectual disability (ID). It is also identified to be associated with different issues which include health problems, obesity and hearing problems among others. In this regard, the research study conducted in this journal is conducted with the objective of ascertaining the importance of physical activity (PA) for the children along with young people having DS. The journal implies that PA is an essential element for the management and for the prevention of chronic diseases in children. Moreover, PA aids in reviving health conditions of individuals so that children and young people have better physical fitness and body mass. Consequently, the children and young people will be facilitated with the opportunity of having an independent life. In this respect, the study in the journal article has provided adequate knowledge to different researchers about the importance of PA in children and young people about the influence of DS. Respectively, the study in the journal has provided important information in relation to research methodologies along with intervention design that are appropriate for the people suffering from DS. Thus, the study has been effective in briefing the importance of PA in the early life of children and young people affected with DS for its better intervention along with assisting them to develop with a better health and body growth (Downs & et. al., 2013). There is a procedure on the basis of which journals are to be critically reviewed which includes introduction, literature review, discussion and conclusion (Shon, 2012). Consequently, a mixed response can be depicted for the article. Critical Analysis PA is an important element assisting children and young people to grow and develop with greater independence as it can be recognised from the study of various researchers. Additionally, it is critically argued that children and young people with DS should be provided with adequate knowledge in relation to PA so that they are able to develop physically along with in terms of body mass (Kasser, 2005). PA which includes swimming, walking along with other exercises have assisted people with DS by a significant extent to retain healthy body and to prevent illness. PA has been an efficient measure for minimising health issues associated with DS which include obesity and cardiorespiratory problems. In this regard, it has been identified that deficiency of PA is one the major causes of DS. Additionally, a lack of PA amid individuals with DS tends to enhance the risks in relation to health problems (Urbano, 2010). The study has also been effective in ascertaining the facilitators and the barriers in relation to PA. Contextually, the article has provided adequate information about the various aspects of DS and the importance of PA in minimising risks associated with DS. In a similar context, Stanish & Frey (2007) have stated that there are several facilitators and barriers to PA. In this context, the most important facilitator is the parents and on the other hand, the barriers comprise transportation cost and social interaction among others (Stanish & Frey, 2007). These are the several strengths that can be derived from the research study in this journal (Downs & et. al., 2013). According to Jobling (1994), PA plays an effective role in the life of people having DS. PA assists them to grow and develop independent skills so that they are able to retain a healthy life in future (Shields & et. al., 2009; Jobling, 1994). Similarly, Buckley (2007) has stated that PA improves social interaction of the people with DS with others, which assists them to grow socially. Moreover, PA also facilitates to grow with better health along with enjoyment (Matute-Llorente & et. al., 2013; Buckley, 2007). However, it is observed that in every research there are certain limitations which reduce the effectiveness of the findings of a study. In this regard, the research study in this journal article has certain weaknesses in relation to research methods which might not be appropriate for future studies about PA. According to Brown & et. al. (2001), qualitative along with quantitative methods should be used in the study of DS in order to have a better understanding and knowledge in relation to various contexts which include psychological, social and physical factors (Brown & et. al. 2001). The sample size considered under study comprises an extensive age range with a small sample population which reduces the generalizability of the derived outcomes. For example, a research study should be based on an appropriate sample size in order to collect appropriate information for significant findings. Moreover, factors considered under study such as facilitators and barriers should comprise different elements with the aim of improving the effectiveness of the findings (Ussher & et. al., 2007). Consequently, it can be said that these are the different weaknesses of the study which are affecting the reliability of the outcomes. In the concerned article, a quantitative research approach has been adopted with the aim of identifying the benefits of PA in the young people. The collected data from the interview has been recorded and are transcribed. Moreover, the collected data are analysed in an inductive along with deductive manner in order to ascertain the reliability of it (Downs & et. al., 2013). According to Robinson (2011), researchers are required to adopt different methods along with procedures on the basis of which the research should be conducted. The research process should be flexible so that in case of change or uprising uncertainties, the analysis process can be performed in accordance with the changes. There are certain steps that should be followed in order to ensure that the research is conducted suitably which include formulating research topic, questions and design, data collection procedure and data analysis along with interpretation (Robinson, 2011). In the similar context, Beresford & Clarke (2009) have stated that the research study of a journal should contain review of literatures of different researchers in accordance with research question formulated for the analytical study of the research topic (Beresford & Clarke, 2009). In this regard, it can be ascertained that the journal by Downs & et. al. (2013) follows the necessary steps required for the study. However, there is a lack of research question in this study. Wenthe & et. al. (2009) conducted a study of PA in adolescents with the assistance of ‘Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model’ (YPAP) model. The findings of the study imply that PA amid individuals with DS varies on the basis of gender. The journal also revealed that there are certain factors which include family and carer support along with opportunities that are the major factors which are accountable for depicting different results in relation to PA between males and females (Wenthe & et. al., 2009; Menear, 2007). In this regard, the findings of the study conducted in this journal differ from that of the study performed by Down & et. al. (2013). Pitetti & et. al., (2012) have stated that there are different barriers to PA which include personal problems and environment problems. Personal problems include health issues and other fitness problems. While the environment problems comprise transportation issues, lack of social interaction and negative attitude among others. In this regard, it has been identified from the study of this article that there are various barriers to PA (Pitetti & et. al., 2012). On the other hand, the study conducted by Down & et. al. (2013) revealed a single barrier i.e. ear problem. In this respect, it can be affirmed that study conducted by Down & et. al. (2013) is inconsistent with the studies performed by other researchers. Respectively, the findings obtained from the study performed by Down & et. al., (2013) depict inconsistencies with the findings from other research studies in relation to PA. The study conducted by Hopepa & et. al. (2007) reveals that a large sample population is required to be considered in order to ascertain appropriate findings from a research study in relation to PA. A large sample size with minimum age range will facilitate in acquiring adequate and important information about the various factors which are associated with PA. In a similar context, Kumanyika & et. al., (2008) imply that a study in order to determine the benefits of PA for children and young people affected with DS should comprise large sample population. A large sample population will aid in obtaining better statistical findings. The result obtained from the data of a larger sample population will ensure better certainties as compared to the study conducted on smaller sample size (Kumanyika & et. al., 2008; Janssen, 2007). In this context, the study performed by Down & et. al. (2013) with a sample size of 8 participants with a wide age range is identified to provide findings that are uncertain. The concerned article contained a sample size comprising 8 participants. The participants selected for the study are children and young people ranging between the ages of 6 years to 21 years affected with DS. The data collected from the sample population has been analysed on the basis of YPAP model which include enabling factors, predisposition factors and reinforcing factors of PA. Additionally, the research study also determines the barriers that affect in obtaining appropriate findings from the study of the collected data. The enabling factors of the YPAP model determine the activities that the participants are engaged with in their life. It has recognised that participants’ behaviour is mainly based on two PAs which include vigorous PA and low to moderate PA. The enabling factors assist in identifying the different PAs that the participants are involved with and the PAs of the participants depend on environment, fitness, access and skill (Downs & et. al., 2013). The predisposition factors to PA have been categorised in two elements that include ‘Is it worth it?’ and ‘Am I able’. ‘Is it worth it?’ is segregated into two factors which include enjoyment and social interaction. It can be critically evaluated that enjoyment signifies the activities that the participants enjoyed to be engaged with. The participants association with certain activities make them feel happy. Social interaction implies the engagement of participants with different activities that are involved with family members and friends among others. According to Krik & et. al. (2006) ‘Am I able’ is divided into three segments which include dislikes, following instructions and ‘understanding of PA’. Dislikes are the factors that depict the activities that the participants are unwilling to be engaged with. Following instructions imply the factors that the participants struggle to follow in order to execute their activities in adherences with the specified instructions at certain situations. ‘Understanding the PA’ reveals the issues faced by participants to understand the importance of PA (Krik & et. al., 2006). The reinforcing factors to PA have been recognised on the basis of three considerations which are support and availed opportunities and assistance offered by parents along with care providers. ‘Support and opportunities’ signifies that the participants are provided with adequate support to be engaged with different activities. It is also identified that the most important barrier to PA is ear problems (Krik & et. al., 2006). These are the various factors and information that are acquired on analysing the data with the assistance of YPAP. The study is based on small sample population which reduces the importance of the generalizability and reliability of the findings. The reliability of the findings of the study can be improved by increasing the sample size so that ample information and data can be collected from the participants. Additionally, large sample size will assist in obtaining appropriate data in order to have a better statistical study. The researchers should have also adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods in this study with the intention of analysing the collected data efficiently. Respectively, the researchers will be facilitated with the opportunity of obtaining accurate and valid findings which can be used for future references. The research methodology should have a flexible design in order to analyse data successfully (Thomas, 2013). Conclusion and Discussion It can be comprehended from the above discussion that PA plays an important role in the life of children and young people suffering from DS. DS is identified as one of the major causes, which is accountable for intellectual disability. It is also associated with different health related issues which include hearing problems and heart problems among others. The study depicts that there are different factors which affect PA of the participants. In this regard, the different factors are segregated in accordance with the YPAP model. Contextually, the study assists in determining the diverse factors appropriately into enabling factors, predisposition factors and reinforcing factors along with barrier to PA. The findings of the study revealed that proper education should be provided to individuals affected with DS along with their parents and other care providers. Additionally, it suggests that children with DS are required to develop independence skills so that they are able to perform PA in an independent manner in future. Thus, the article provides adequate information in relation to PA and the benefits that can be derived from PA for children and young people with DS in order to have a healthy life and growth in future. The results obtained by the experimenters through the study can be stated to be justifiable to a certain extent. References Beresford, B. & Clarke, S., 2009. Improving the Wellbeing of Disabled Children and Young People through Improving Access to Positive and Inclusive Activities. 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Gender Similarities and Differences in Factors Associated With Adolescent Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity. Pediatric Exercise Science, Vol. 21, pp. 291-304. Read More