Posted: May 24th, 2015

Essay structured with an appraisal tool

Order Description

part 1
Study assessed:
New Moves – Preventing weight-related problems in adolescent girls Nequmark-Sztainer 2010
QUALITY ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR QUANTITATIVE STUDIES

complete these the questions presented as structured paragraphs as you would in an essay. Highlight your selection or cross-out the choice not applicable. Demonstrate your knowledge of epidemiological principles within each section and support your statements.

Your task:
This assignment is a structured essay based on the list of short answer questions of the EPHPP Tool for the study described in the paper. You must use the template provided (Option 1 or 2)
New Moves – Preventing-related problems in adolescent girls Nequmark-Sztainer 2010
The news report about the study will be shown in class.
The EPHPP Tool:
Details of the tool, including the dictionary QADictionary_dec2009.pdf which provides an explanation of each question, can be found on http://www.ephpp.ca/tools.html :
Complete the provided worksheet to write and JUSTIFY your answers addressing the methodological issues in paragraphs. Once completed, the essay is to be submited through Turnitin.  For each question, begin by describing  the epidemiological issue the question is exploring (e.g. selection bias) and then proceed to explore the issues in the study. Please quote the applicable text from publications you use. At times you may find it necessary to state the page and paragraph location to support your answer.
Adequately discuss the implications of what your findings for each question.
Support resource:
Video: What’s Cool in our School. (Link: http://bcove.me/uhxiy1co)
Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne R., et al. “New moves—preventing weight-related problems in adolescent girls: a group-randomized study.” American journal of preventive medicine 39.5 (2010): 421-432.
Nequmark-Sztainer2010.pdf
Please begin by reading above paper yourself and answer the questions on the template.  You are required to assess the study which Neumark-Sztainer describes.
To do this it is necessary to undertake a literature search for additional papers relevant to the study. Please ensure you have adequate literature search and retrieval skills and can search databases such as PubMed Medline.
Ensure that you search for, and include the relevant references to support your arguments.
Your task is to assesemble the study using the relevant publications.
Criteria for assessment:
HLN710_Assessment Criteria2_2015_Sem1.pdf
Learning support: Please note that the learning will be supported through the lectures, tutorials (internal) and also a Collaborate session (external). LIVE THE TRIAL is structured around tool.
In the past students have found the Cochrane Handbook to be a useful resource. The resources you use should be referenced.

Begin Individually : It is important you first undertake critical appraisal (this assessment) independently, as two reviewers, and then subsequently discuss the study and any discrepancies you may have. You will see that discusion is identified as the final step in the EPHPP Tool document. (The peer review process is part of your final mark.)
A copy of the individual, pre-exchanged draft is to be uploaded to Turnitin on BlackBoard no later than 8:00pm Saturday 16 May (Week 10). The draft is not marked, but may be reviewed during the process of marking to ensure the peer-review process has been adequately followed and the assignment submitted is the student’s own work. It is expected that in most cases that the submitted essay will be substantially modified and quality improved through the peer learning process.
Pairs of reviewers:
Partner co-reviewer:  You will randomly assigned a co-reviewer by Black Board around week 4 or 5. Through “Blackboard Groups” you must exchange contact details and determine a common method for communication (such as email, phone numbers, i-message, Skype drop-box etc.). Once you have seen your partner’s details you have an obligation to make contact through these means and communicate as required.
Learning to collaborate locally and remotely are important skills for epidemiologists and researchers working in public health settings. Having a partner who is located remotely is not an acceptable excuse to avoid the peer review component of this assignment.
All student pairs are required to identify and agree between themselves upon a suitable means for communication and discussion. Please agree upon a date to exchange assessment items for discussion and subsequent completion. It may be ideal for this to occur during week 10 or 11, but could occur earlier. Exchange must occur no later than Tuesday 18 May. The date of exchane must be noted on the final submission.
Students are required to work together respectfully, equitably and in a non-discriminatory manner, regardless of the gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity (etc.) of their assigned partner.
As a courtesy, please advise your partner if you decide to withdraw from HLN710 so another partner may be found. Students whose partner has withdrawn will be assigned to a new pair. Please advise the Unit Coordinator if you require assistance for re-allocation if your co-reviewer has withdrawn.
1. Work through the assignment independently and then communicate as independent reviewers to discuss discrepancies. (access your group area through left menu/Collaboration/Groups). Make sure you disucss and understand the methodological principles in each question
2. Please state the name of your co-reviewer on the top of your worksheet.
In group area, you are able to share files, discussion,chat and email each other. Alternatively
Option 1:
Process:
Individual review -> exchange, peer review and discussion -> revision and completion, each individual submits their own work
Outcome:
Each student receives their own grade.
Some tips:
* This assignment is an assessment of a study, and you have been provided with the primary paper by Nequmark-Sztainer 2010 .  It is your task to identify for other papers which describe the same study. It is important that you have the skills in undertaking literature searches of appropriate databases such as PUBMED and MEDLINE to identify relevant literature.
* Use the response boxes to demonstrate deep learning and describe the methodological issues and any uncertainties or ambiguity you encounter. In many cases you may agree with the study authors, however you must support your position.
* Please don’t give simple yes / no answers. Students in the past who answered this way failled the Unit. The arguements you make should be referenced.

Essay structured with an appraisal tool

This assessment will assess your skills and knowledge in the epidemiological principles taught in the unit through the critical analysis of a published health research study. The assessment requires the application of the appropriate principles to assess the trustworthiness (risks of bias) of published research of a public health intervention using a standard critical appraisal tool. The assessment requires each student to prepare a structured essay of a critical appraisal of an epidemiological study, words using the questions of the prescribed critical appraisal tool. Approximately 3,000 words (not to exceed 3,500 words).
Details now available.  The tool will be covered in lectures.  Start by reading the primary paper.

Frequently Asked Questions and the Answers about the assignment — please read before emailing me.
The assignment will be submitted via TurnItIn and will be assessed for plagerism. Ensure that all source are properly cited and the work you submit is your own.