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Key Topics
- Requirement
- Solution
- Abstract
- Research problem
- Purpose of the study
- Formulation of the research questions
- Theoretical/conceptual framework
- Limitations of the study
- Study variables and terms
- Sample Select and Population
- Pilot Study
- Interpretation of Findings
- Findings and their communication
- References
Requirement
Quantitative Research Critique
Solution
Abstract
The title (Bearinger et al., 2011) adequately states the problem to be investigated, variables and population under study. The abstract in the paper summarises the salient features of the report. The background, objective, method, results are discussion is provided. However the conclusions should have been stated in the abstract.
Research problem
The problem statement is clear and it outlines the purpose. Researcher has addressed the questions appropriately. Two of the questions that are addressed by the researcher are Is one versus the other associated with variables expected to be related to condom use consistency? Does the capacity changes in behaviour over time for condom use consistency?
The problem significance is substantially addressed with reference to the literature. The study has adequate potential in solving the problems from clinical perspective. The report support the individual for the condom use consistently and thus avoids health risk. Therefore, such studies definitely would add value from clinical practice.
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Purpose of the study
The purpose of the study is adequately presented. Based on the data from a clinic outcome, a study was designed with the intention to reduce the health risk behaviours associated to early pregnancy in adolescent girls. Another aim is to model the condom use consistency across three waves of data using two self-report measures of condom use consistency. The rationale for conducting the study is adequately described. The investigators attempted to study the consistency across global and partner-specific condom use in the past 6 months for the creation of trajectories in terms of condom usage.
Formulation of the research questions
The research questions are adequately stated. The intrusion of investigators is whether the associated factors influence the condom use consistency. Groundwork has been done to study the behaviour over time for better uniformity in condom use and to have consistency.
Literature Review
The logical sequence of literature and review are addressing about factors that influence the use of condoms. The discussion of literature is supporting the evidence how the earlier investigators have done the work in terms of conducting the studies. Most of the studies are based on physical and computer based interviews. The investigators opined that the factors such as individual, relational and contextual factors might affect sexual behaviours and thus condom use.
In the paper it is not clear in terms of relationship for the current research and previous work. The discussion is related to the factors influencing the condom use and little emphasis is given towards the methods adopted. More emphasis should have been given for the methods and outcome of the research to justify the current investigation.
Literature review has fulfilled the gaps and established a correlation between the existing practices and the old ones. The modalities used in investigations were based on questionnaires. The investigators are not feeling that the methods as intrusive; quality is limited and based on literacy of respondent; self-administered questionnaires does not allow for follow-up on confusing responses; use of diaries do not represent a population of interest and show variations in recording the responses. In addition, expensive due to associated cost for the face-to-face interviews.
Theoretical/conceptual framework
There is a rational for the use of conceptual or theoretical framework for the research. The research utilizes modes including physiologic, self-concept and interdependence. The self-concept approach, a part of conceptual framework (use of condom) was included in the research. The interaction based on interviews between the investigator or their assistance and the individual is based on 'interdependence', another component of framework. However, the interdependency and its outcome on the measurement is a composite index (Noar et al., 2006) and the consistency of condom use varies between partners (Graham et al., 2005).
Study has assumed a few things, but the assumptions are not clearly stated. More emphasis should have been given to express the hypothesis. However, it can be understand from the report the following re the assumptions:
Possibility of reduction of health risk behaviors of early pregnancy and STDs
Harmonization of condom use consistency.
Limitations of the study
The (following) limitations of the study are adequately acknowledged.
Data available at only three time points instead of multiple points.
Associated within-person variability for condom use consistency over time
Use of bivariate analysis for statistical comparisons in trajectory groups. Multivariate analysis should have been used for quantitative assessment and significance.
The investigators are neither clearly stated nor addressed the theoretical basis for formulating the hypothesis. The hypothesis is not stated precisely to permit and carry the investigation.
Study variables and terms
The relevant variables are adequately defined. Most of the terms include the sample; global condom use consistency; partner-specific condom use consistency; number of sex partners and stability of primary sex partner. Moreover, the research design is not adequately described. The design looks to be tedious and no adequate controls are provided in terms of randomisation and sequence etc. Furthermore, no specific experimental design was used in the investigation. The eligible individuals were categorized and the study was conducted.
Since no experimental design was used, there are no control measures for the validity of study in terms of internal and external validation, despite recommendations for the minimization of errors from other researchers (Sieving & Shrier, 2009). Adequate description of subjects for experimental and control groups is missing. However, the investigators had chosen controls for the subject inclusion prior to study and are based on negative pregnancy test; treatment for STDs; high-risk sexual and contraceptive behaviours and violent behaviours. The adopted design however is able to allow in studying the cause and effect relationship in both the cases i.e., Global use and Partner-specific use cases. The variables include, stable use, stable non-use, change to use and change to non-use. An experimental design such as factorial design should have been used as the designs are able to study the individual and interaction effects. Since the design is based non-experimental design, the controls measures were stable-non use and change to non-use serves as controls.
Sample Select and Population
The subjects and sampling methods were adequately described. Sexually active 13-17 year old girls who are eligible were included in the study. After screening of 1,434 girls and fulfilling the formalities, 185 girls were participated in the study. The girls are belonging to African, Asian, European American or Latino origin. No such indications pertaining to sample size calculations. No power analysis is reported in the study. No, assurance is given for protecting the rights of human subjects. However, the protocols of the study had been approved from the institutional review board of the University of Minnesota. An informed consent was obtained prior to the study.
Pilot Study
The study is not a pilot study and no name is provided for the study i.e., pilot vs pivotal. However, the study seems to be pivotal as the sample size is relatively high. The methods of data collection adequately described. The data collection is of two types including, Global condom use consistency and Partner specific condom use consistency. Moving further, adequate measure were taken to describe the inter rater reliability based on ranking system. However the limitation is two types of categorization is given. Same ranking system should have been used for both the cases.
Data analysis and organization
The data was analyzed based on the following ranking system.
Only descriptive statistics (mean & SD) and test for significance (Pearson’s chi-square and F test) are provided. Adequate statistical calculations have not been performed to support the research question. Trend analysis and CI limits of calculations should have been performed.
Interpretation of Findings
The results are adequately presented for comparisons and descriptive statistics for covariates (stable use & non-use; change to use & non-use and unstable change). The categorization and statistical comparisons made for intervention condition, age, hormonal use & stability, same primary sex partner and number of sex partners. The results are described adequately as tables and figures. The outcome is described as trajectory groups; comparison for baseline hormonal use & stability; stability of number of sex partners and primary partner stability.
The results are described in accordance with the framework and by citing supporting literature. The component of theoretical framework, self-concept is two hormonal use covariates were analyzed in relation to condom use consistency trajectory groups with adequate citation (Sieving et al., 2007) and for the stability of a relationship with primary sex partner (Wiemann t al., 2009). Moreover, conclusions are provided based on the findings. Unfortunately, the assumptions prior to study are not clearly addressed. However based on the outcome, it can be understood that the conclusions are in line with the hypothesis. Two approaches for measuring condom use consistency in relation to a set of empirically related covariates are concluded. Furthermore, no generalized statements based on findings. However, certain generalizations can be found including the possibilities of unique opportunities for analyzing the relative merits of global versus partner-specific measures.
There are a few implications of the study that are given below:
Provides an insight for decisions for assessing condom use consistency
Patient based assessments provides an insight for identification of threats to health.
Simultaneous testing provides an insight towards health promotion interventions.
In the end there are no recommendations provided for further research. However, scope for the extension of research is possible by conducting the studies using experimental design to test the main and interaction effects.
Findings and their communication
The findings are not adequately communicated. However, it can be understood that there exists a significant bivariate relationships for the partner-specific measure of condom use consistency. Therefore, to avoid health related risk it would be desired to have harmonized procedures for the consistency for condom use. Utilization of the findings has been good. All aspects of the report are substantially covered. No systematic evaluation is carried out. However, the research envisaged is worthwhile and is message oriented to the globe. The chances are low to have replicability due to lack validation details. To address the issues of condom use among the individual such studies are relevant to practice. It looks not possible for the nurses to implement such studies, because the study is based on perceptions of individuals. Neither parameter nor collection of samples is needed for such studies. Marginally, the study offer benefits to the individuals in terms of health related issues pertaining to unwanted pregnancies and avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
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Bearinger, LH., Sieving, RE., Duke, NN., McMorris, BJ., Stoddard, S & Pettingell, SL (2011) Adolescent Condom Use Consistency over Time: Global Versus Partner-Specific Measures.
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Nursing Research 60(3 Suppl), S68–S78. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0b013e318217145c
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Graham, CA., Crosby, RA., Sanders, SA & Yarber, WL (2005) Assessment of condom use in men and women. Annual Review of Sex Research, 16, 20-52.
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Noar, SM., Cole, C & Carlyle, K (2006) Condom use measurement in 56 studies of sexual risk behavior: Review and recommendations. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 327-345.
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Sieving, RE., Bearinger, LH., Resnick, MD., Pettingell, S & Skay, CL (2007) Adolescent dual method contraceptive use: Relevant attitudes, normative beliefs, and self-efficacy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40, e15-e22. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.10.003
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Sieving, RE & Shrier, LA (2009) Measuring adolescent health behaviors. In R. J. DiClemente, J. S. Santelli, & R. A. Crosby (Eds.), Adolescent health understanding and preventing risk behaviors (pp. 473Y492). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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Wiemann, CM., Chacko, MR., Kozinetz, CA., DiClemente, R., Smith, PB., Velasquez, MM & von Sternberg, K (2009) Correlates of consistent condom use with main-new and main-old sexual partners. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45, 296-299. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.03.001.
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