Evidence based health

Fair Selection of Participants In any viable research, the researcher must be very keen when selecting the participants. The participants must be a representation of the general public and thus the results obtained and conclusions reached after analysis of the collected data can be used for the benefit of the whole population. The importance of any research work is to collect information from a small but satisfactory sample and the outcome used to the benefit the whole of the population. Therefore, this obliges the researcher to be charismatic and vigilant enough when selecting the sample size and the participants (Giri & Bannerrjee, 2002, p13-15). The sample should be satisfactory in terms of size, representation of the whole population and relevance to the study. Selection of the wrong sample and sample size will lead to poor conclusions and results therefore leading to wrong implementation. The success of any research work depends highly on the selection of the participants and the participation level of the participants.
The selection of the participants from those who were to join the university made the research a worthy activity to undertake. Participants selected should be from a group privy to the research outcome (Boyer, 1990, p34-37). The researcher selected participants from a vulnerable group. Though this was not a full representation of the group, the researcher was able to monitor the trends of the students as they continued with their studies. The research was aimed at investigating whether students’ anxieties and depressions increase after entering college, how much adverse life experiences lead to their increases, as well as the influence of adversity, depression and anxiety on test performance. The use of the sample data would enable the researcher establish the level of increase in the student depressions and anxiety and impacts on exam performance. However, the researcher should also have used the continuing students and those who had already completed their studies in order to reach at a conclusive decision and recommendations.
The sample selected was to benefit from the research outcome as the recommendations made would impact their lives. The researcher ensured that the privacy of the students is maintained by use of questionnaires where the identity of the students was not to be revealed when answering them. The participants were briefed of the essence of the research but were not given the chance to state their position in participation. The participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity. In my view, the participants though well informed about what pertains the research, had no ability to give an informed consent at the initial stages. However, the data collected from the participants when they had already joined the university was more satisfactory to give the researchers confidence.
Ethics: Summary
Before participation in any research work, the participants should be briefed on the particulars of the research work, what they are expected to do and their willingness to participate evaluated. This ensures that the participants give consent of use of their knowledge. The researcher should have requested the intended participants to register for participation in the research. Sending questionnaires and requesting for answers to all the students that were to join university was uncalled for. Also use of the students’ information especially background factors and the examination results without ensuring anonymity of the students is a breach of the initial agreement. The university registry should have prepared the information to be given to the researcher early in advance excluding the students’ identity from the information (OLeary, 2004, p 50-54).
References
Boyer, D. L., 1990. Philosophers Annual 1990, London: Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc.
Giri & Bannerrjee, 2002. Statistical Tools and Techniques, New Delhi: Academic Publishers.
OLeary, Z., 2004. The essential guide to doing research, London: Sage publishers.