An Examination of “Mixed Methods” in Health Science Research Aging Among Women With Diabetes, Research Paper Example

Research questions are whether healthcare policy and treatment programs can be specifically tailored to suit the needs of women with childhood disabilities of diabetes? With respect to this question, research hopes to gain insight of whether the aging process is accelerated in women with pre-disposal of diabetes at early childhood. The qualitative component of this research consisted of the biological decline that is inevitable to the sustainability of a preserved healthy life. Further components to examine psychological, physical, social and cultural preventive actions that can be taken to reduce problems for women with childhood diabetes disability.

Data was reported through studies conducted on other disabilities such as polio and associated implications with such disease. Further impact on behavior and lifestyle as a result of polio disease was qualitatively reported. Factors such as unemployment, limited social life and loss of access to healthcare were reported as a result of a “general disability”. “Four distinct areas of social life when brought together tell a story of aging. “These elements consist of: 1) lives in time and place, 2) human agency, 3) the timing of lives, and 4) linked lives” [1](Elder, 1994, 1996). “It is documented through a review of the historical and extant research on women with disabilities that four issues are important when understanding their development into older age:” (Elder, 1994, 1996).  “1). Their lives are highly interdependent, 2) Institutions may shape or alter their life course development, 3) Cultural and historical context shape the meaning of gender and disability, and 4) There is a continued, not episodic, impact of impairment on social role development.” [2](Harrison, 2003).

Data was further reported through the use of questionnaires, medial reporting through quantitative testing such as respiratory reporting, case control questionnaires, self-reporting, etc. Research based upon identity roles of women and disabilities, stigmas and low-self esteem, behaviours and role are all positive attributes of the study that were qualitatively examined. Cultural expectations of a society help to explain the stress that is put on a woman labelled with a disability. It was discussed that women have trouble adjusting to the stigma associated with disability. Marital status and family relations are discussed and have a positive influence with women of disabilities. There appears to be no left unturned discussions in this research paper. Much thorough qualitative assessment was completed during this research.

Gathering Data for Qualitative Research

First there must be a selection of respondents and that will depend on the nature of what you want to research and the available resources. To ensure data is gathered properly it is recommended that a researcher spend adequate time in “field training” before commencing on data gathering. Further, he/she should set a timeline for data gathering to enable him/her to meet goals and endeavour from one milestone to the next. A process of improvement of questionnaires and surveys data collection. As always other qualitative test questions could be added but hypothetically speaking all areas were covered in this diabetes aging study. This was an excellent source of mixed methodology. might come through “shadowing” other mentors and their way of conducting research. Selecting the best research technique is essential to effective.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research Questions

Question 1: What are the ethnic determinants on pre-disposed childhood diabetes disability? Did this influence the results in a negative, positive or neutral manner?

Question 2: What variables and means of calculation were used in the quantitative study of the analysis? How were they calculated and reported? Was a control subject used? What was the representative sample size?

Quantitative Methodology for Purpose of Diabetes Study

Statistical models and differential equations were used to make calculations and report diabetes results. Q-Methodology, Chi Square (X2) are proper methods for the purposes of this study. These methods provide substantial reliability and validity and ease of reporting of numerical data.

Interviews will be conducted to infer diabetes was present at a young childhood age. Family history, pre-existing related conditions, blood tests, preventative testing measures and access to medical supplies will be addressed in the questionnaires. Interview schedule will consist of visiting with home bound patients and patients at the hospitals and clinics initially then commencing to voluntary visits with other pre-disposed diabetic disabled patrons.

The use of mixed methodology contributes to a greeter understanding of the research phenomena because of the use of both qualitative and quantitative research analysis. The compatibility of a thesis statement can be proven with the use of a single method and its strength is determined through the validity of its results. A hypothesis can actually be tested before all data is collected. Mixed methodology provides stronger conclusions and helps to increase generalizability of results. The weaknesses are that it is more time consuming and much more expensive to use.

When determining whether to use qualitative research in a study a researcher should consider whether the data will be useful for describing the phenomena, whether a cross-case examination can be conducted, whether sequential patterns of change can be properly studied and whether the data can be collected in a naturalistic or non-bias setting.

References

[1] Wray L.^,, Ofstedal M. , Langav K. & Blaum C. (2005) The Effects of Diabetes on Disability in Middle-Aged and Older Adults Retrieved September 15, 2009 from,   ^{http://biomed.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/full/60/9/1206}

[1] Harrison T. (2003) Aging Among Women With Disabilities Retrieved September 15, 2009 from, https://webspace.utexas.edu/cherwitz/www/ie/samples/t_harrison.pdf

[1] Wray L. ^1,, Ofstedal M. ², Langav K. & Blaum C. (2005) The Effects of Diabetes on Disability in Middle-Aged and Older Adults Retrieved September 15, 2009 from,   ^{http://biomed.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/full/60/9/1206}

[2] Harrison T. (2003) Aging Among Women With Disabilities Retrieved September 15, 2009 from, https://webspace.utexas.edu/cherwitz/www/ie/samples/t_harrison.pdf