Question 1: What is the specific type of descriptive design?

The particular type of descriptive design used in the study is a survey. Survey a favorite type of descriptive research design applied in the study of social sciences. The model characterized by random selection of participants from the target study population, to respond to a standard questionnaire, telephone interview or face-to-face interview with the aim of collecting data on people’s beliefs, behavior and attitudes. Survey design  preferred to other research design because of advantages such as easy administration, cheaper as compared to different descriptive design and samples a wide broad range of participants. The study focuses on Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) minority groups residing in the United States. The study randomly selected API individuals who have diabetes subjected to cognitive behavior training (CBT) regarding diabetes education and support (DES). Furthermore, rigorous processes were involved in selecting participants by the use of locals themselves on which outcomes such as anthropometric measures and questionnaires used conduct study over a long period.

Question 2: Is there a clear and appropriate link between the research question and the descriptive design that is used?

There exists a sharp link between research questions and the descriptive design to allow detailed responses from participants. For instance, the researcher starts by asking a participant how they managed diabetes cases before giving out any information about the program. Again, the research questions allowed participants to share their narratives concerning diabetes before provided with comprehensive details of the study. Most research questions aims at provoking the participant to give more related information such as socioeconomic status, healthcare system. Finally, the research question used correlated with descriptive design through consideration of significant issues in the planning and implementation of the research program.

Question 3: Is the rationale for the use of a descriptive design appropriate?

The descriptive design used is very appropriate as it explores on characteristics of the target minority population the API. For example, from the description, we know the minority groups including API do not have health insurance and survival mechanisms such as insufficient income and low socioeconomic status that potentially affects the participation of the population in the study. Furthermore, it explains more characteristics of API whereby they experience language difficulties such as reading and understanding English (Han et al., 2007). Also, cultural interpretation of study material or knowledge of some terminologies differs what researchers planned. API culture such as behaviors and health seeking behavior correlate and how traditional compares with the conventional medical process. Finally, immigrant Korean Americans find their healthcare until they are sick. Through knowing the features of the API researchers can devise a strategy to overcome and mitigate the adverse outcome.

Question 4: What are the primary variables of interest?

The primary variables of interest in the study were socio-economic issues. Due to the low economic status of participants who are minority group played a vital role in influencing the level of participation as some could not afford to adjust their work schedules to attend sessions, while some held multiple jobs and they could not get time to participate.  Even though the study applied a personalized approach to recruit and retain participants whereby diabetes specialist was used to recruitment participants. Furthermore, the study addressed issues correlated with socio-economic problems such as providing incentives to participants. Study sites were set up in proximity to study locations accessed by mass transit, participants were given parking vouchers to cater for the cost of transport, participants provided with stipends, and flexible time schedules to allow them to attend both work and the study sessions.

Question 5: Is the interpretation of results congruent with the description presented? Explain your answer.

The interpretation of research questions concurs with the description provided. First, the clinical research conducted comprehensive planning and preparation for the study including addressing socio-economic issues that Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) faced that could potentially impact the self-care management of diabetes type 2. Since socio-economic factors affected the study, the research team introduction of incentives such as a provision of taxi vouchers,  reimbursement of travel costs and scheduling of sessions in such manner that flexible for participants to attend. The tools worked effectively. Many participants had cited lack of time to participate in the session even though a majority were able to participate in the session still some had multiple jobs or worked for long hours and this could not allow them to attend schedules. For example, in Hawaii, 8.2 percent of earners had various jobs, and the national average was 5.2 percent, this indicates socio-economic factors potentially affected the study

Question 6: Is the study longitudinal or cross-sectional? Why is this appropriate approach?

The research was typically longitudinal as designed to take six months period and a one year for post-session activities. The design was appropriate as adequate preparation was required to conduct diabetes education support (DES) and cognitive behavior training (CBT). Furthermore, the research should take about six weeks of consecutive meetings with participants preparing them for the study whereby friends and family members of the participants are encouraged to take part in the exercise. Generally, a sufficient preparatory period needed to fine tune on recruitment strategies and the likely outcome of the parent study. API being a minority group the researcher was forced to identify barriers to inclusivity in research. Therefore, there was a need to design ways of assessing and overcoming the API barriers associated with promoting self-management of type diabetes.

Question 7: Does the descriptive report of the sample provide enough detail to judge the sample adequacy and the sample characteristics? Explain your answer.

The descriptive sample report provides adequate details to judge sample characteristics. The study achieved the required recruitment goal whereby 631 participants were needed, and 207 enrolled for the study. The figure recruited was 32.8 percent higher than what typically observed in some studies. Consequently, the API being a minority population in the United States had socio-economic issues that hindered them from fully participating. The sample characteristics reflect the whole community. For example, whereas the national average for multiple wage earners was 5.2 percent, Hawaii had 8.2 percent an indication of correlation of high rates of diabetes and the socio-economic levels. Majority of people were busy in their jobs and did not have time for self-care management of diabetes.

Furthermore, socio-economic issues experienced in the study potentially impacts the research design thus crucial factor considered in the participant recruitment. Thorough planning before implementation is required to deal with barriers to participation

Question 8: How are the results presented? What would other results (if any) have been helpful to be reported?

The results of the study were presented in a narrative form describing details of the outcome; also charts and tables were used to enhance understanding. The results analyses the criteria used to select the participants the reactions experienced. For example of the 1891 eligible participants 631 were chosen to participate, and letters of notice dispatched to them of which 235 signed informed consent and undertook the pre-study tests. Some withdrew, and some cited conflicting schedules and therefore changed, and finally, 207 participants were enrolled. Sampling done among those participants who declined to participate. The various reason was provided such as being too busy to attend,  and they thus were tired to join after work, and that family responsibility awaited them. Another idea presented for non-participation was care giving for their children, parents, spouses, etc. Again as much many expressed their desire to take part in the study they had health issues that prevented them from participating in the study sessions. Other matters that worthy of reporting included the method used to establish a rapport with the participants. Talk story approach was considered suitable since it was a cultural style of communication among the Asian and Hawaii that builds empathy and creates solid personal contact. Talk story among the API considered as emotionally supporting and non-judgment of listening to somebody.

Question 9: What tables, graphs, and figures presented? How did they enhance understanding of the results?

Tables, graphs, and figures promoted a better understanding of the results in the sense that long narratives are summarized in figure and graphics formats easy to understand. For example, tables were used to analyze and describe frequency and subset of responses and participants who decided not to enroll for the study. The table uses “n” to stand for non-participants who cited own reasons for not taking part in the study. n=24 cited they were too busy and were tired after busy work schedule, n=8 cited of care giving factors as they were busy taking care of their parents, children, and grandchildren. n=cited personal health issues that prevented them from participating in the study. While n=5 cited tight work schedules that could not allow them to take part, additionally, the information presented in the tables enables a quick understanding of facts and figures hindering and those promoting the study.

On the other hand, graphs indicated of nature or overall tendency in a study. A quick perusal of the graph shows the common factors and vice versa.

Question 10: Taking into account the narrative along with the supporting tables, graphs, and figures, was a full and clear picture of the variables under study presented? Explain your answer.

Generally, the API survey and the results as presented through both qualitative and quantitative means depicts a fuller picture of the socioeconomic situation and diabetes status of the population. In other words, the descriptive elaborately the low socio-economic status of the API and the socio-cultural dynamics that potentially contribute to the API status.The API among minority group in the United States marginalized and struggling with socio-economic hardships. Majority of API lack healthcare insurance, adequate wages that affect their general lifestyle including self-care management for diabetes. The number of participants and their reasons for withdrawing and declines show a population facing socio-economic and health problems. People seek medication only when they are sick which further complicates their medical condition. Diabetes closely correlates with socioeconomic issues of people. Therefore the variables used to depict a full picture of the API group. Generally, immigrants face a myriad of challenges in the United States. Furthermore, the cultural orientation of the API makes them more vulnerable.

References

Houser, J. (2018). Nursing research: Reading, using and creating evidence (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Jones & Bartlett.

Do you need high quality Custom Essay Writing Services?