An examination of the effective intervention and measures focused on addressing diabetes in Children and Adolescents in Florida

Answer

Method

            This chapter describes the techniques used to collect data for this study. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the case of type 2 diabetes among adolescents and children in Florida and establish the most effective interventions for curbing the disease in the country. Florida has witnessed unprecedented growth of type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents but there have been no clear and effective interventions and measures to address this challenge. Thus, describing techniques used to collect data information on various interventions is essential in understanding effectiveness approaches of dealing with the disease.

Research Method and Design Appropriateness

             Research design is a general plan of answering research questions (Jacobsen, 2020). It encompasses a conceptual framework of carrying out the research. On the other hand, a research method is the systematic plan of carrying out research and it encompasses techniques such as surveys, experimental research, case studies, questionnaires, participant and non-participant observation and observational trials among others (Jacobsen, 2020). Research method can either be qualitative or quantitative researches. A quantitative research is a study that aims at grouping features, counting them and establishing statistical models in a bid to test hypothesis and describe the observations while a qualitative research is a study that aims for a complete, comprehensive description of observations such as the circumstances and context of the events (Bradshaw, Atkinson, & Doody, 2017).

            This study adopted descriptive qualitative research design because of the nature of the research. Descriptive qualitative design was appropriate for the study since the research aimed at describing what, who, and where of events or experiences and understandings measures and interventions of Type 2 diabetes. Descriptive qualitative design was also appropriate for this study because it offered understanding into the type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents in Florida and assisted the researcher to understand various interventions and their effectiveness. Therefore, using descriptive research design helped the researcher to establish the most effective interventions for addressing growing cases of type 2 diabetes in Florida. Using descriptive design, this study explained various interventions and their effectiveness and how health practitioners interpret these interventions. Descriptive research design was chosen for this study because it is simple and does not follow particular structured traditions or plan (Cooper & Endacott, 2007). Moreover, it does not require a conventional way of analyzing data and thus appropriate for the research because it enabled the researcher to obtain themes more easily. Cooper and Endacott (2007) argued that qualitative descriptive studies often draw from real life investigation that purports a dedication to investigating a phenomenon within its real life state to the level that it is viable within the context of the research arena. As such, there is no need for prior selection of study variables, no influence of variables and no prior dedication to a given theoretical view of a particular phenomenon.

Population

            The population study targeted were adolescents and children within Florida who suffered from Type 2 diabetes and must have stayed in country for atleast five years to help the researcher understand past experiences, interventions and effectiveness of such interventions in addressing the disease. For the targeted study population, the inclusion criteria encompassed ages of between 10 years to 18 years, diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, possible presence and treatment of immunological illness of the thyroid gland, as well as, hypertension. Similarly, the comparison population comprised of children and adolescents without Type 2 diabetes, admitted to a selected pediatric department for comprehensive assessment for cardiac infections.

            The study population was chosen through purposeful sampling technique. Principally, purposeful sampling was relevant for this research since it allowed the researcher to gather critical information from smaller sample size and offer crucial data and understand essential issues surrounding interventions for eradicating Type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents in Florida (Kim, Sefcik, & Bradway, 2017). In addition to purposeful sampling, the target population was selected using criterion sampling. This technique was appropriate for this study because it enabled the researcher to offer succinct and detailed description of effective interventions for dealing with Type 2 diabetes. For this study, the researcher used purposeful criterion sampling to gather critical information to describe the most effective interventions for Type 2 diabetes and describe the techniques that children and adults have been using to manage this disease.

Sampling Frame

            For this study, the sample size comprised of 20 children and 30 adolescents. Using the described inclusion criteria, the researcher used social networking sites that target educators. For the children, a recruitment email containing personal information of the researcher was sent to their parents to seek their consent. Further, the researcher called the adolescents and parents of the children to seek their consent and ensure that they fulfil the outlined inclusion criteria. Once the researcher established the eligibility of all the participants, he described the study, addressed all questions and concerns that participants will have and stress the importance of this study.

Data Analysis

            For this study, the data analysis entailed thematic analysis of the transcripts that participants provided regarding effective measures and interventions for type 2 diabetes. Thematic analysis was appropriate for this research due to its flexibility, insight and ability to describe clear details of the information gathered (Turato, 2005). The researcher applied inductive analysis that encompasses data driven technique that relies on the information collected from the study to gather themes without referring to the previous themes already mentioned in the literature (Cooper, & Endacott, 2007). To analyze the data, the researcher first familiarized the data to understand the data and point out the patterns. Further, he keenly read the data and noted down ideal regarding possible codes. The researcher generated codes that relate to effective measures and interventions of curbing Type 2 diabetes.  Moreover, he constructed a map of patterns and established the relationships between them. He also searched for themes and designed a visual representation of the codes for further analysis.

References

Bradshaw, C., Atkinson, S., & Doody, O. (2017). Employing a qualitative description approach in health care research. Global qualitative nursing research, 4, 2333393617742282.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77-101.

Cooper, S., & Endacott, R. (2007). Generic qualitative research: A design for qualitative research in emergency care? Emergency Medicine Journal, 24, 816-819. doi:10.1136/emj.2007.050641

Jacobsen, K. H. (2020). Introduction to health research methods: A practical guide. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Kim, H., Sefcik, J. S., & Bradway, C. (2017). Characteristics of qualitative descriptive studies: A systematic review. Research in nursing & health, 40(1), 23-42.

Turato, E. R. (2005). Qualitative and quantitative methods in health: Definitions, differences, and research subjects. Revista de Saúde Pública, 39(3), 1-8