Worksheet for Evaluating a Health Research Study Report

HST2122 Health Research Methodology
HST2122 Assessment 2
Worksheet for Evaluating a Health Research Study Report
Instructions: Use this template to record your evaluation of the article that you have critiqued for Assessment 2. See separate instructions for detailed guidance on completing the assessment.
NOTE: Hide or remove the rows in the summary table, and pages of the detailed critique, not relating to the article chosen for critique. Your summary table should reflect the score and overall
assessment are given (and supported by evidence) for each component, in the detailed tables to follow. The current row width can be expanded as high as necessary to provide a complete
base of evidence.
Reviewer’s Name:
End-text citation of article critiqued:
XXXX
Summary Table
Component of evaluation Max
score
Score Overall assessment of component
Part A: Evaluating the Front Matter in a Research Report 12 The front matter portrays the content of the report. The abstract of the report contains the necessary
information. The authors of the journals are experts of their respective field. The front matter is of good
quality.
Part B: Evaluating the Statement of the Problem in a
Research Report
18 The topic was regarding, how mobile apps have brought a change in the lifestyle of the people. By using
those apps a large group of people is benefitted. The data provided in the report are clearly stated.
Part C: Evaluating the Literature Review in a Research
Report
21 The literature used for reviewing the report is of high quality and the sources from where the contents
are taken are all reliable. The review was critically analyzed and documented.
Part D: Evaluating a Purpose in a Research Report 21 The purpose of the study has been clearly stated. The focus of the study and the participants involved in
the study was appropriate.
Part E1: Evaluating the Research Design in a Quantitative
Research Report
6 Quantitative Research design is used properly for this study and the participants involved in the study
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HST2122 Health Research Methodology
were all correct.
Part F1: Evaluating the Participants and Data Collection in a
Quantitative Research Report
21 The sample size and strategy are appropriate and justified. Ethical quantitative data collecting
procedures have been applied for collecting data.
Part G1: Evaluating the Data Analysis and Results in a
Quantitative Research Report
18 The data so gathered was well prepared. Good analysis and testing procedures for collecting data were
conducted. The result provided was informative and systematic.
Part E2: Evaluating the Research Design in a Qualitative
Report
9
Part F2: Evaluating the Participants and Data Collection in a
Qualitative Report
18
Part G2: Evaluating the Data Analysis and Findings in a
Qualitative Report
21
Part H: Evaluating the Conclusion and Back Matter in a
Research Report
21 Based on the above-stated facts, this research report so obtained can be considered as an outcome of
the highly qualified research conducted.
Quantitative maximum possible score / total score given
And Overall assessment
0 - 68 = Low Quality
69- 106 = Adequate Quality
107- 138 =High Quality
Quant
max
=138
Qualitative maximum possible score / total score given
And Overall assessment
0 - 70 = Low Quality
71- 109 = Adequate Quality
110- 141 =High Quality
Qual
max
=141
Summary evaluation and justification
Lifestyle behaviour and weight gain during college can contribute to the future health issues. The population may not have the required self-monitoring skills to maintaining the healthy lifestyle
behaviours. The main purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the use of the mobile health application which is designed for tracking physical activity and diet and
health behaviours of the college students. A cross-section study was carried out with 401 university students for completing the survey in order to assess the physical activity, lifestyle
choices, eating behaviour and usage of mobile health app. The result depicted that the users of the mobile health app had higher scores significantly for the eating behaviour in comparison to
the non-users. The impact of using is seen in the improvement of eating behaviour. The participants who used the app are feeling healthier, increase physical activity, encouraged to eat
healthier and better self-monitoring of exercise and food intake (Sarcona, Kovacs, Wright & Williams, 2017). A study depicted that young people use the health-related app more in
comparison to the 65 years old people. It is being found that the app helped to weight loss among the younger participants between the age of 16 to 30 years in comparing to the older age
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HST2122 Health Research Methodology
groups who are between 31 to 50 years and 50 to 70 years. Male participants scored higher for physical activity and lifestyle and female participants scored higher for the eating behaviour.
The difference between mobile health app and gender is not seen. Ethnic minority women in college are seen to be more vulnerable to obesity and overnight. However, there is no difference
found among non-whites versus whites in the use of the mobile application. The study did not determine that the obese and overweight individual uses more mobile health apps in comparison
to normal weight individuals. The obese respondents were 3.2 times more than the normal weight subjected to using the application and achieve the health behaviour objectives. The
implementations of effective techniques for treating the high obesity rate are significant to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases. The app users have more positive eating behaviours in
comparison to non-users. Exercise and healthy eating habits are a significant component of health promotion and chronic disease prevention.
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HST2122 Health Research Methodology
Part A: Evaluating the Front Matter in a Research Report
Quality Criteria Quality
Rating*
Identify Element State Assessment with Reasoning
The Key Elements
1. The study’s authors and
journal are reputable.
Sarcona, A., Kovacs, L., Wright, J., & Williams,
C. (2017). Differences in Eating Behavior,
Physical Activity, and Health-related Lifestyle
Choices between Users and Nonusers of Mobile
Health Apps. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318354
121_Differences_in_Eating_Behavior_Physical_A
ctivity_and_Health-
related_Lifestyle_Choices_between_Users_and_
Nonusers_of_Mobile_Health_Apps
Alessandra Sarcoma, West Chester University
Josephine Wright
Laura Kovacs
Christine Williams
2. The title reflects the content
and focus of the study.
Differences in eating behavior, physical activity,
and health-related lifestyle choices between
users
and nonusers of mobile health apps.
The article has mainly focused on the change in the eating habit of the people using
health-related mobile app.
3. The abstract concisely but
accurately summarises the
aim, methodology and main
findings of the report.
Aim, methodology and main finding of the report. Low physical activity and unhealthy food habit are quite common among Australian
students and adolescents. Obesity and overweight are posing a major health challenge.
Mobile apps play a very important role in managing health-promoting strategies. Health
apps are very important in promoting healthy nutrition, sound physical activities and
preventing overweight. Health app can be used as a monitoring tool for promoting health
promotion strategies. Apps can be used to set targets, increase self‐monitoring and
increase awareness.
Research has revealed that some apps like ePASS, eVIP, eSIYP, eTIYP focuses on the
risk of getting overweight. Apps like Ak-Shen, FRapp, App-Hongu, MoSeBo/DiaTrace
mainly focuses on user group aging between 11-18 years. More than 23% of Australian
adolescents have downloaded free apps on a daily basis. Smartphones are more often
used by young and middle-aged people. 66% of the people with no chronic condition are
reported to have downloaded the health app. 53.4% of the people with one chronic
condition are reported to have downloaded the health app (Sarcona, Kovacs, Wright &
Williams, 2017). 38.5% of the respondent without a health condition have downloaded the
health app. An individual with physical activity habit is more likely to use a health app than
one without physical activity habit. Health apps are used two times or more by 21.3% of
the population without a health condition, 2.7% of the population with hypertension, 13.1%
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HST2122 Health Research Methodology
of the population with obesity, 12.3% of the population with diabetes, 12.0% of the
population with depression, and 16.6% of the population with high cholesterol.
In the above-mentioned survey so conducted, it can be concluded that individuals using
health app are more physically active and enjoy sound health. Health apps continuously
monitor the activities of the person using the app. As smartphones are mostly used by
young and middle-aged people, so the problem of obesity in the adolescent people can
also be brought under control. Health app ensures regular adherence to the disease
management programme and in this way chronic illness can be prevented. Health app
ensures adherence to medication and helps in making healthy lifestyle choices. However,
from this survey, the belief of the healthy person regarding health app is known but it is
unknown what belief people with chronic conditions hold regarding health app.
General Evaluation
4. The front matter accurately
reflects the content of the
report and allows an
evaluation of relevance.
- The abstract was well written.
- Brief information about the authors has also been provided in the front matter.
- All the authors were experts in their respective fields.
Overall Quality Part A
0 - 6 = Low quality
7 - 9 = Adequate quality
10 - 12 = High quality
Total
Part A
Score =
My Overall Assessment of Part A =
The topic was quite interesting as it deals with changes in the lifestyle brought forward by
using apps. The problem was clearly stated and the importance of awareness is also
justified. The data was also neatly presented.
*Quality Rating Options: 0 = Fail 1 = Poor 2= Good 3 = Excellent
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HST2122 Health Research Methodology
Part B: Evaluating the Statement of the Problem in a Research Report
Quality Criteria Quality
Rating*
Identify Element
with evidence from the article
State Assessment with Reasoning
The Key Elements
1. The topic is interesting. Wang, Q., Egelandsdal, B., Amdam, G., Almli,
V., & Oostindjer, M. (2016). Diet and Physical
Activity Apps: Perceived Effectiveness by App
Users.
Physical activity app has increased the level of health status and physical activity. This
research is mainly focused on the potential of the apps to influence individual behavior, the
efficiency of the apps to influence individual behavior and to identify what kind of app the
users mainly prefer. The main purpose of this research is to identify the mechanism, which
influences the physical activity behavior in the physical activity app. Regular physical
activities are quite effective in preventing both primary and secondary chronic diseases.
Physical activities also reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic health
issues, obesity-related conditions, stroke, and another related heart disease. Physical
activities can improve mental health, cognitive functioning, and academic performance.
Health apps have emerged as a potential tool for increasing the level of physical activity
and health status (Wang, Egelandsdal, Amdam, Almli & Oostindjer, 2016).
2. There is a meaningful problem. Change in the lifestyle has raised the possibility
of developing chronic diseases.
45.9% of the population using physical activity app was within the age group of 35 to 54
years. 82.1% of the population using physical activity app are white population. 94.2% of
the population using physical activity app are of Latino ethnicity. 51.2% of the population
using physical activity app are females. 41% of the respondents use the physical activity
app on a daily basis. 48.3% of the respondents use the physical activity app many times a
week.
3. The importance of the problem
is justified.
Research has shown that due to change in the
eating habit many young people are facing the
threats of obesity.
This research is to find out what behavioral changes have been incorporated by the
physical activity app and to explore the relationship between the mechanism of behavioral
change and the actual change in physical activity.
4. There are deficiencies in
knowledge about the problem.
Despite tremendous efforts in this regard, the
problem of obesity cannot be curbed totally
because of peoples' ignorance in this regard.
The victim must know that unhealthy food habits can increase obesity, which in turn can
increase the possibility of developing chronic diseases. Healthy food habits help people to
live long and stay fit.
5. There are audiences who can
benefit from the missing
knowledge.
Parents, young people, educators, and health
care personnel.
The lives of the victim's parents got affected, the victims may become unable to attend
school regularly due to illness and staying unfit.
General Evaluation
6. The passage is well written. - The subject matter was covered.
- There is a logical flow of information throughout the article.
- The presentation of the data was orderly.
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