Title
From an epidemiological perspective, the title of the research report on juvenile arthritis is inappropriate. The rationale for this assertion can be provided by the ages of the research participants. Researchers who conducted this study stated, “focus group interviews were conducted with youth aged 14-21 years and young adults aged 22-29 years” (Garwick, Horvath, Secor-Turner, Scal & Wells, 2011, p. 302). In contrast, the adolescence stage ranges from 15 to 17 years of age (CDC, 2012).
Secondly, all the study participants did not fall within the ages affected by juvenile arthritis. It has been reported that juvenile arthritis occurs in children and adolescents who are aged below 18 years (Arthritis Foundation, 2013). Therefore, the most appropriate title for this report would be ‘Challenges Associated with Juvenile Arthritis.’
Literature Review and Background to the Problem
An aesthetic analysis reveals that the literature review for this report is inadequate. It does not include relevant research articles which addressed the issue in the past. Instead, it focuses on the challenges faced in health transitions regarding the transfer of healthcare services from adolescence stage to young adulthood. Besides, some of the articles used in the literature review were outdated. Articles which were published as late as 1992 were not appropriate for supporting a research study conducted in 2011. Ideally, the literature review for clinical research studies should be based on research publications, which are not older than five years from the date of the new research study.
From an epidemiological perspective, the literature review for this report should have included recent publications investigating challenges experienced by teenagers and young adults who are living with juvenile arthritis. For instance, research articles, which discuss the impact of juvenile arthritis on social growth and quality of life, could be appropriate sources of information for this research report.
In addition, a literature review should have provided an overview of the magnitude of the problem, primarily with regard to the limitations to activity, access to healthcare services by adolescents and young adults with juvenile arthritis and epidemiological trends of the disease.
An article published in 2008 by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlighted these parameters. For instance, it states that juvenile arthritis causes activity limitation, educational challenges and inability to participate in social activities among children (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2008). Therefore, the research report compiled by Molly Secor-Turner and his colleagues should have addressed the same parameters as they are discussed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Sampling and Recruitment
In regard to sampling and recruitment of research participants, this study did not meet the required standards for clinical research studies. A sampling of the study participants was not randomized; instead, investigators followed predetermined study approaches to recruit participants for the study. Therefore, this study involved bias in participants’ sampling process. For instance, methods used by investigators, which included the use of e-mails and flyers, were inappropriate because; they were not suitable for all members of the target population. Precisely, the use of e-mails introduced bias in participants’ sampling process because most teenagers do not have e-mail addresses. From a clinical perspective, the sampling of the study participants should have been based on health records obtained from randomly-selected public healthcare institutions.
In most cases, bias in the participants’ sampling process influences study outcomes, and the results do not provide accurate data. Sica (2006) states, “bias is a form of systematic error that can affect scientific investigations and distort the measurement process; a biased study loses validity in relation to the degree of the bias” (p. 780).
On the other hand, the study conducted by Molly Secor-Turner and his colleagues did not reflect the ideal characteristics of the target population. In the study, they used two distinct study groups who did not share social characteristics. For instance, the study group aged between 14 and 21 years consisted of teenagers who focused on school life. The other study group aged between 22 and 29 years consisted of young adults who were concerned with job-searching and family responsibilities. Therefore, the study sample did not manifest all aspects of desired characteristics; thus, introducing bias. Sica (2006) states, “sample bias can arise when the intended sample does not adequately reflect the spectrum of characteristics in the target population” (p. 782).
Moreover, this study report does not indicate the total number of participants who were recruited for the study. Ordinarily, the sample size is required in determining the validity of the information contained in a research publication. In this report, it is not clear whether sufficient participants were recruited to meet the requirements of scientific studies, which serves as a mandatory requirement (Browner, Cummings, Grady, Hulley & Newman, 2013).
Data Collection
In regard to data collection, investigators used appropriate data collection strategies to obtain information on their research topic. For instance, moderators and note-takers ensured that relevant information was provided by the study participants. In addition, the use of a semi-structured set of interview questions provided guidance on the form of the information solicited from participants. In most cases, questionnaires are used as the most reliable method of data collection in clinical research studies.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations associated with this research study included consent of participation, the safety of the participants and privacy of participants’ information.
Investigators met the required standards of clinical research by obtaining the consent of participation prior to the study. According to the World Health Organisation, research investigators are required to obtain informed consent from research participants by issuing them with informed consent forms to approve appropriately (World Health Organisation, 2013).
However, investigators did not state whether their study involved data protection measures to safeguard the privacy of participants because interviews solicited for private information, primarily with regard to relationships and social interactions between individuals with juvenile arthritis and other people in the society. It is reported that information obtained from participants was digitally recorded, but it is not certain whether digital devices used were password-protected to restrict access by unauthorized individuals.
Data Analysis
Data analysis did not involve statistical evaluation to identify the significance of the collected data. It would be appropriate to analyze the data in terms of percentages and degrees of significance. For instance, health information on medication required statistical analysis using a Chi-Square test to determine P-values of self-medication levels. Instead, investigators elucidated the challenges reported by participants, but there was no rationale for data validity.
Juvenile arthritis is a widespread health condition affecting adolescents and young adults. Therefore, data analysis should have reflected the most significant epidemiological parameters, such as demographic and biological factors related to the disease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this report does not meet the required standards of a clinical research study because the selection of participants was biased. Consequently, it seems that the unexpected bias in sampling research participants influenced the outcomes, leading to the compromised validity of study results.
References
Arthritis Foundation (2013). Juvenile arthritis fact sheet. Web.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2008). Juvenile arthritis in Australia, (Catalogue no. PHE 101).
Browner, W., Cummings, S., Grady, D., Hulley, S. & Newman, T. (2013). Designing Clinical Research. Sydney, Australia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
CDC (2012). Teenagers.
Garwick, A., Horvath, K., Secor-Turner, M., Scal, P. & Wells, C. (2011). Living with juvenile arthritis: Adolescents’ challenges and experiences. Journal of pediatric health care, 25(5), 302-307.
Sica, G. (2006). Bias in research studies. Radiology, 238, 780 – 789.
World Health Organisation. (2013). Research policy: Recommended format for a research protocol. Web.