The research study topic is reducing childhood pedestrian injuries. The data collected included how the children in the sample acquired the injuries (whether the injuries were acquired along driveways, while driving, or in non- traffic places. It is imperative that different types of data are gathered for comparison purposes (Stokols, 1996). In this connection, data was also gathered from Police Department offices in Oakland.
Data Gathering Instruments
In health promotion research, qualitative and quantitative methods are used as the data gathering instruments. In the study, quantitative methods were used to gather data. Case comparisons and observations were the quantitative instruments used. Each case patient was compared using two controls with matching age and gender. This strategy was aimed at ensuring that the public health interventions under implementation, for each case patient, was effective and fulfilled the intended functions (Stokols, 1992).
To ensure validity, it is imperative to use various data collection instruments, and compare the data gathered. Hence, the researcher reviewed data sheets and charts during emergent medical services so as to classify the sample. The researcher also sought data from Oakland Police Department offices.
How the Instrument Influences Data Outcome
Defining data collection is crucial in assessing how the data collection instrument influences data outcome. Data collection refers to the process of obtaining or gathering information in regard to an activity or phenomenon. After collection, data may be stored in data- bases or records, analysed, and utilized for monitoring or evaluation of health promotion programs and interventions. The value of data has a direct link with the instrument used for data collection, which impacts directly on health promotion interventions (Glasgow, Lichtenstein & Marcus, 2003). Consequently, the worthiness data influences data analysis’ quality. This ultimately influences the effectiveness and quality of the decisions made. Therefore, it is vital that the data collection instruments are valid and relevant so as to ensure validity in the health promotion research study.
Greatest Threats to the Study’s Validity
One of the greatest challenges to validity in the study was the limited ability to come up with clear inferences in regard to the effects of the program. This is mostly because of flawed research analyses and designs. It is, therefore, extremely essential that health promotion researchers are extremely keen to ensure validity (Stokols, 1992). Most of the times, conclusions are drawn on program’s effectiveness, and at the same time; little consideration is given to the alternative elaborations for findings. Health promotion researchers, who are considering conducting true experiments, should consider the presence of all plausible validity threats (Stokols, 1996). Consequently, they should rule out or control them before drawing valid causal inferences.
Another threat to validity is the failure to conduct research ethically. For instance, if the research compromises people’s rights or does not allow the control group the opportunity to get services or a program they would have acquired if they never participated in the research, then the research should be abandoned or changed. It is also worth noting that resource constraints makes limiting the target audience necessary (Glasgow, Lichtenstein & Marcus, 2003). Therefore, the use of comparison and control groups is more ethical. Furthermore, phased- in and pilot programs offer the opportunity to utilize experimental designs. Validity is extremely vital in health promotion research and should adhered to.
References
Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. Journal Information, 93(8).
Stokols, D. (1992). Establishing and maintaining healthy environments: toward a social ecology of health promotion. American Psychologist, 47(1), 6.
Stokols, D. (1996). Translating social ecological theory into guidelines for community health promotion. American journal of health promotion, 10(4), 282-298.