Final Project: Early Methods Section - Essay Example

? Final Project: Early Methods Section Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Final Project: Early Methods Section Answers: The research questions are: What are the different strategies for stress reduction? Why are these strategies important in daily life? What are the implications of stress reduction strategies? Does demographic variable have any influence on the selection of strategies? To what extent or how are the variables related to the stress reduction strategies? The hypothesis is: H1: Strategies are effective in reduction of stress and there is a significant association between the stress reduction strategies and selected demographic variable. The null hypothesis: H 0: There is no variation in the stress level and there is no association between demographic variable and selected strategies. Sample Size: The sample size should be of about 80- 120. It is a convenient sample for the study and it will also help in the collection of accurate data. The sample is divided into 4 categories on the basis of variable selection so each group contains 20 to 30 individuals or samples. Due to the moderate size error of sampling, data collection will be less. Each sample represents the classified group and they reflect the population which will be convenient for the evaluation or result. The inclusion criteria are: Gender: Both genders, male and female (for the reliability of the research both genders were included in the study and this helps in the categorizing of sample into different groups for selected strategies. Along with that association between demographic variable and strategies are proved with the help of this inclusion criterion, that is, the difference in male and female stress level reduction on same strategy application. For example: Woman reported more anxiety during the stressful event than men. However, women were able to calm down faster after the event. “Different gender and ethnic back ground reduce stress in different ways” (Rausch, Auerbach & Gramling, 2008, p.9-10). Different Age Groups: This has been taken into account to evaluate the effectiveness of reduction strategies on the specified demographic variable. This will also help to analyze the effect on different age groups. Samples will have different social or educational background. Exclusion criteria are age group below 18 and individuals who are unwilling for the participation. The sample needs to be diverse in order to improve the extent of reliability and research effectiveness, but it is difficult to handle such diverse samples in case of individual studies. Convenient random sampling technique is used in this study. The sampling criteria are on the basis of convenience and to avoid errors that may occur in the result. Furthermore, it aims to improve the result reliability from the convenient group selected and therefore they have been categorized randomly. According to Polit and Hungler (1999), “population is defined as the entire aggregation of cases that meet a designated set of criteria” (Chapter 2: Research Design and Methodology," n.d., p.15). The sample generalizes the entire population. The study includes two types of variables. These are: Study variable/controlled variable: It refers to the selected stress reduction methods or strategies. This is under the control of the researcher. 1. “Mindfulness will help to reduce stress” (Proulx, K. (2003) 2. Yoga- “Does yoga help dental students reduce stress?” (Shankarapillai, R., Nair, M., & George, R. (2012 );International Journal of Yoga, 5(1), 48-51) 3. “Stress will be reduced by using the non-pharmacological approach”-( McFadden, K. L., Healy, K. M., Hoversten, K. P., Ito, T. A., & Hernandez, T. D. (2012),.Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 20(4), 175-82.) Demographic variable/ independent variable: The demographic variables included here are: Age Gender Social or educational background Physical condition or background:-for example “Stress reduction strategies will help reduce stress in patient with breast cancer” (Antoni, M. H., Wimberly, S. R., Lechner, S. C., Kazi, A., & al, e. (2006); The American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(10), 1791-7). Operational Definitions: The independent variable: According to Polit and Hungler, “an independent variable is the variable that stands alive and it is not dependent on any other” and “Demographic variables are independent variables by definition because they cannot be manipulated” (Lee & Schuele, 2010, n.p.). “Independent variable (One manipulated - CAUSE) - What the investigator is testing; the one thing that is changed or manipulated by the scientist” ("Variables", n.d., p.1). “Dependent variable (One responding - EFFECT) – the response to the independent variable that can be observed (qualitative) and measured (quantitative)” (p.1). “Control (one) the “norm” - A part of the experiment that does not contain the variable being tested and is used for comparison (Not all experiments have a control)” (p.1). Each variable is measured in terms of their association and level of effectiveness. Study variable is measured for its effectiveness level and also with the extent of its association with the demographic variable. The interview and checklist helped in the measurement of each variable. “Validity refers to whether an instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure” ("Chapter 3: Research Methodology", n.d., p.44). When an instrument is valid, it truly reflects the particular concept it is supposed to measure. Furthermore, it will be validated by smaller sample application. An important element to be noticed here is that the content validity was obtained by consulting experts in the various fields. Content validity represents the universe of the contents (or) the domain of the given construct. The universe of content provides the framework and basis for formulating the relevant items. Reliability is the degree of consistency that the instrument (or) procedure demonstrates, that is, whatever it is meant to measure, it does so consistently. The technique used for data collection was random interview and check list. Interviews were conducted without pre information and the check list was to be filled prior to administration or application of the specific strategy. This was to take place after the programme by keeping a specified time interval following the same method to obtain post application data. The researcher’s design is post test pre test method and the pre test method is conducted with the help of interview and check list. Furthermore, it applies stress reduction strategies collected through post test data by same method of pre test. The study was conducted with the selection of a sample strength of 80-120 people, which characterize the population convenient for random sampling. The tool for data collection was developed and validated by smaller sample application. According to the research design study was conducted on the selected population by concentrating on variables, obtained data, and then the data was organized and presented. The obtained data was analyzed and each result was evaluated and finally the research was concluded and summarized. There are some ethical and potential issues, which were mainly related to the confidentiality of the participants and doubt on the programme (questions were, is there any chance for the occurrence of complication or problem in case of discontinuing the program). All issues were compromised by the suitable methods (explanation, drop out compromization with another etc). SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF STUDY Design Population &Sampling technique: convenient random sampling Sample Size (80-120) Instrument: pre and post interview & checklist Variables Analysis of the obtained data and result evaluation & conclusion Independent Variables or Demographic variables Dependent Variable References Chapter 2: Research Design and Methodology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/2228/03chapter2.pdf Chapter 3: Research Methodology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/2127/04chapter3.pdf Lee, M., & Schuele, C. M. (2010). Demographics. Retrieved from http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/encyc-of-research-design/n108.xml Variables. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.csef.colostate.edu/Resources/Variables.pdf Proulx, K. (2003). Integrating mindfulness-based stress reduction.Holistic Nursing Practice, 17(4), 201. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/232547172?accountid=34899 McFadden, K. L., Healy, K. M., Hoversten, K. P., Ito, T. A., & Hernandez, T. D. (2012). Efficacy of acupressure for non-pharmacological stress reduction in college students.Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 20(4), 175-82.doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2011.12.003 Rausch, S. M., Auerbach, S. M., &Gramling, S. E. (2008).Gender and ethnic differences in stress reduction, reactivity, and recovery. Sex Roles, 59(9-10), 726-737. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-008-9460-0 Shankarapillai, R., Nair, M., & George, R. (2012). The effect of yoga in stress reduction for dental students performing their first periodontal surgery: A randomized controlled study. International Journal of Yoga, 5(1), 48-51. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.91714 Antoni, M. H., Wimberly, S. R., Lechner, S. C., Kazi, A., & al, e. (2006). Reduction of cancer-specific thought intrusions and anxiety symptoms with a stress management intervention among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(10), 1791-7. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220502776?accountid=34899 Read More