Changes in Childhood Risk Taking and Safety Behavior, Article Critique Example

Abstract

The article being reviewed presents assumptions derived from intense literature analyses of previous studies on the phenomenon being investigated. It contains a background to the study; clearly stated objectives; explanation of a scientific methodology; display of results; statements of conclusions as well as key concepts relevant to understanding the study.

Nursing: Article Review- Changes in Childhood Risk Taking and Safety Behavior after a Peer Group Media Intervention

Introduction

This article ‘Changes in Childhood Risk Taking and Safety Behavior after a Peer Group Media Intervention’ is a full report presented by the researchers themselves, Christine Kennedy and Jyu-Lin Chen. It was reprinted in 2012 by Walters Kluwer Health 1 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins through permission from Nursing Research after being published in 2009.

Statement of the research problem and significance

There is evidence to suggest that in this article the researchers did not emphasize a statement of the research problem under a separate heading. However, readers could identify specifics of the research problem as stated in the very first paragraph of the document. Indications are mentioned utilizing concepts such as , risk behaviors, physical risk taking, injury and hospitalizations (Kennedy & Chen, 2009).

In summarizing the research problem as it precedes an extensive literature review, the researchers clarified their propositions by confirming that, ‘risk taking is a significant behavior that compromises health’ (Kennedy & Chen, 2009, p181). Essentially, this serves as a hypothesis as well as a research statement through, which intentions were to either validate or nullifying from the following literature review.

Literature review

As was indicated in the opening sentences of the first paragraph, these two researchers presented an extended review of literature, comprehensively outlining their position regarding risk taking. From observation, it was apparent that while the key words informing this study are, children, risk taking, safety behavior and television (Kennedy & Chen, 2009, p181) researchers focused their attention upon, an injury concept embodied in the literature review as espoused by Speltz, Gonzalez, Sultzbacher and Quan (1990).

Further into the literature review mention was made about media consumption effects; exposure to safety education; gender acculturation influence; peer group pressures to participate in the fun; ethnic predispositions and parents’ awareness of their children’s risk taking behaviors. Inferences were made to a few other studies conducted by Kresnow, Simon & Dellinger (2007); Lipsitt (1998); Sommers (2006); Carter & Kulbok (1995); and Farrand & Cox (1993).

Research design/ tradition

According to Creswell (2012), research designs offer the framework for a study by addressing at least four research problems; designing questions to answers problems; presenting methods of collecting and evaluating data as well as strategies to analyze data retrieved ( Creswell, 2012). Therefore, to comment on the research design or tradition of this study is to articulate the foregoing elements of this article. Precisely, the researchers’ clarified that the methodology would encompass ‘a two group, experimental, longitudinal design’ (Kennedy & Chen, 2009, p 184). A random sample consisting of an intervention group (n= 57) and a wait list (n=65) was selected.

From scrutiny there were no distinct research problems, but one statement suggesting that risk taking behavior is injurious; therefore the phenomenon ought to be researched. Also, the design did not contain a series of research questions seeking answers, but these seemed insidiously placed along the literature review analysis.Data collection procedures were clearly identified as being literature review of studies conducted on the issue. The analysis was done by utilizing primary care tool ‘Injury Behavior Check List’ (IBCL) and Cox‘s Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior (IMCHB)

Conclusions

From the findings and analysis researchers have concluded that children’s safety is enhanced with media support programs. Therefore, parents should be encouraged to research appropriate media services that would help in curbing risk behaviors within their communities.

References

 Kennedy Christine, Chen Jyu-Lin (2009). Changes in Childhood Risk Taking and Safety Behavior after a Peer Group Media Intervention. Nursing Research. 58(4):264-273

Creswell, J.W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall