Use Of Data Collection Instruments Research Articles

Integrating Game-Based-Learning to Improve Students’ Essay Writing in High School Sociology

This study integrates game-based learning (GBL) in sociology lessons to investigate its impact on students’ essay writing. The study had a sample size of seven students from a Year 12 Sociology class in one of the high schools in Brunei Darussalam. This qualitative research made use of data collection instruments consisting of pre-test and post-test essay questions, semi-structured interviews, and lesson observations. Findings from the study have shown that the implementation of games that utilize civilization-building elements such as city building and resource management in a sociology lesson had a significant impact on students' performance in essay writing, specifically the quality of their argument, provided that they were used within the right context. The study also found an increase in students’ motivation, collaboration, and enjoyment of learning, attributing this to the games' designs and their easy accessibility via smartphones. Students’ perceptions of the use of GBL indicated a willingness to use it again as a learning tool in the near future. The findings provided insights into this area of study and may be able to provide useful information to educators, especially sociology teachers, who wish to make use of games to aid in making their students' learning an enjoyable experience in their lessons.

A Scoping Review of Targeted Interventions and Training to Facilitate Medical Encounters for School-Aged Patients with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a greater number of healthcare provider interactions than individuals without ASD. The obstacles to patient-centered care for this population, which include inflexibility of hospital environments, limited resources, and inadequate training, has been documented. However, there is little knowledge on efforts to address such concerns. A scoping review was conducted and the systematic search of the literature resulted in 23 relevant studies. The predominant themes include the use of data collection instruments, application of evidence-based practices and resources, and training of providers. The results of this review have implications for practitioners and future research to adapt and improve upon the provision of medical care for individuals with ASD across the lifespan.

Collection of Data on Race, Ethnicity, Language, and Nativity by US Public Health Surveillance and Monitoring Systems: Gaps and Opportunities.

Despite increasing diversity in the US population, substantial gaps in collecting data on race, ethnicity, primary language, and nativity indicators persist in public health surveillance and monitoring systems. In addition, few systems provide questionnaires in foreign languages for inclusion of non-English speakers. We assessed (1) the extent of data collected on race, ethnicity, primary language, and nativity indicators (ie, place of birth, immigration status, and years in the United States) and (2) the use of data-collection instruments in non-English languages among Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-supported public health surveillance and monitoring systems in the United States. We identified CDC-supported surveillance and health monitoring systems in place from 2010 through 2013 by searching CDC websites and other federal websites. For each system, we assessed its website, documentation, and publications for evidence of the variables of interest and use of data-collection instruments in non-English languages. We requested missing information from CDC program officials, as needed. Of 125 data systems, 100 (80%) collected data on race and ethnicity, 2 more collected data on ethnicity but not race, 26 (21%) collected data on racial/ethnic subcategories, 40 (32%) collected data on place of birth, 21 (17%) collected data on years in the United States, 14 (11%) collected data on immigration status, 13 (10%) collected data on primary language, and 29 (23%) used non-English data-collection instruments. Population-based surveys and disease registries more often collected data on detailed variables than did case-based, administrative, and multiple-source systems. More complete and accurate data on race, ethnicity, primary language, and nativity can improve the quality, representativeness, and usefulness of public health surveillance and monitoring systems to plan and evaluate targeted public health interventions to eliminate health disparities.

Economic costs of epidemic malaria to households in rural Ethiopia

To estimate the direct and indirect costs of malaria morbidity among communities in an epidemic area in rural Southcentral Ethiopia. Community-based cross-sectional study of 2195 households in Adami Tulu district from October to November 2003. Treatment-seeking behaviour, expenditure on treatment and transportation, interruption of normal activities, time lost from working and household expenditure on preventive methods were ascertained through interview. Of 12,225 surveyed individuals, 1748 (14.3%) reported perceived malaria during the preceding 2 weeks. 77.1% sought any form of care and 70% had recovered at the time of interview. The average treatment cost per patient at private clinics was Birr 24.00 ($2.76) and Birr 12.50 ($1.44) at public facilities. The average estimated direct cost of malaria per patient was Birr 14.00 ($1.60); the average indirect cost, Birr 35.26 ($4.08). Only 5% of all households reported any preventive expenditure in the preceding month, with a mean of Birr 0.76 ($0.09). Malaria poses a significant economic burden on rural households and individuals both through out-of-pocket payment and person-days lost. The promotion and implementation of insecticide-treated nets would alleviate the economic consequences of the disease.

Nonoperative treatments for sciatica: A pilot study for a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of patient recruitment, the ability of patients and clinicians to comply with study protocols, and the use of data collection instruments to collect cost-effectiveness data, and to obtain variability estimates for sample-size calculations for a full-scale trial. Study Design: Prospective, observer-blinded, pilot randomized clinical trial. Setting: Primary contact chiropractic and medical clinics. Patients: Ages 20 to 65 years, with low back-related radiating leg pain (sciatica). Outcome Measures: Self-report questionnaires were administered at baseline and 3 and 12 weeks after randomization. The measures included leg and back pain severity, frequency and bothersomeness of symptoms, leg/back disability, medication use, global improvement, satisfaction, and health care utilization. Interventions: Medical care, chiropractic care, and epidural steroid injections. Results: A total of 706 persons were screened by phone to determine initial eligibility. Of these, over 90% of those persons contacted did not meet the entrance criteria. The most common reason for disqualification was that the duration of the complaint was longer than 3 months. Twenty patients were randomized into the study. All 3 groups showed substantial improvements in the main patient-rated outcomes at the end of the 12-week intervention phase. For leg pain, back pain, frequency and bothersomeness of leg symptoms, and Roland-Morris disability score, the percent improvement varied from 50% to 84%, and the corresponding effect sizes ranged from 0.8 to 2.2. Bothersomeness of leg symptoms was the most responsive outcome associated with the largest magnitude of effect size. All within-group changes from baseline were statistically significant (P <.01). No between-group comparisons were planned or performed because of the insufficient sample size and high risk of committing type I and type II errors. Conclusions: Pilot studies such as these are important for the determination of the feasibility of conducting costly, larger scale trials. Recruitment for a full-scale study of sciatica of 2 to 12 weeks duration is not feasible, given the methods used in this pilot study. Our results do indicate, however, that there are substantial numbers of patients with sciatica more chronic in nature who would be interested in participating in a similar study. In addition, collaboration with a local health maintenance organization would likely facilitate clinician referrals and optimize the recruitment process. Patient and provider compliance was high in the pilot study, which indicates that most study protocols are feasible. Additionally, we were able to collect complete outcomes data, including those regarding health care use. A suggested modification by investigators and outside consultants has resulted in the replacement of the medication group with a minimal intervention control group (ie, self-care advice). As a result, a second pilot study of patients with sciatica of more than 4 weeks duration has been planned before a full-scale trial is attempted. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000;23:536-44)