Purpose
Identify an appropriate epistemology and theoretical perspective for your research project and explore their effect on the research process.
Task details
Written assessment on the reflections of epistemology and theoretical perspectives relevant for the student’s research question and how they inform the research process.
Instructions
Your assignment should include:
An introduction to the topic.
Identification and description of epistemology and theoretical perspective and the connection between them, and their effect on the research process.
A clear description of how epistemology and theoretical perspective you identified inform the research process in terms of methodology and methods. Also bring your research project into the discussion and outline the effects all of these may have on its approach to implementation and potential findings.
Clear/structured presentation and writing with creativity (e.g., use of diagrams, tables, flow charts, if required) and
Accurate/systematic referencing
The rationale for the task is to start getting you thinking about all these important foundational aspects of scientific research.
Use Times New Roman font 12.
Line space 1.5
Resources and readings relevant to the assessment
Please refer to documents added.
Additional information:
Positivism/Post-positivism is the most relevant paradigm. It aligns well to evaluate effectiveness through measurable outcomes. However, if the review also aims to consider practical implementation and real-world applicability, Pragmatism could also be relevant, allowing for a more comprehensive approach that includes both quantitative effectiveness and practical insights.
The theoretical perspectives: health promotion theory and transtheoretical
the research is a scoping systematic review.
Research Question: How effective are physical activity programs at addressing obesity in people living with Intellectual disabilities
For the introduction, you can base it off these two introductions:
Obesity poses a critical health concern globally, particularly among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), who are disproportionately affected compared to the general population (Flygare Wallén et al., 2018). The prevalence of obesity has surged dramatically over recent decades, affecting approximately 10.4% of the world’s adult population by 2016 (WHO, 2021). Factors such as reduced physical activity, medication use, and dietary challenges contribute to their heightened vulnerability to obesity (Hutzler, 2007). Despite efforts from community exercise programs and individualised interventions promoting healthy lifestyles, there remains a notable gap in systematic research evaluating the efficacy of these initiatives in managing obesity among individuals with ID. By integrating these models, the study aims to guide the development and assessment of comprehensive health promotion programs tailored to the unique needs of individuals with ID, promoting sustainable behaviour change and improved health outcomes.
Obesity is a severe, life-threatening condition closely associated with diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Over the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased significantly worldwide, affecting individuals indiscriminately, including those with intellectual disabilities (ID) (Flygare Wallén et al., 2018). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. By 2016, over 650 million adults, or approximately 10.4% of the world’s adult population, were considered obese (WHO, 2021). This rising trend is particularly concerning among individuals with ID, who are more susceptible to obesity due to factors such as reduced physical activity, the use of certain medications, and dietary challenges (Hutzler & Sherrill, 2007). Research by (Hsieh et al., 2014) found that adults with ID are significantly more likely to be obese compared to the general population, highlighting a critical need for effective health promotion strategies targeted at this group. Multiple initiatives are in place to support physical health and prevent obesity in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). These initiatives encompass organised programs such as community exercise and fitness centres offering physical activity and individualised programs. They emphasise the importance of regular exercise, improved diet, and other health-promoting activities. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the evaluation and effectiveness of interventions specifically tailored to reducing obesity among individuals with ID.
Structure for the Assignment
Introduction to the Topic
Identification and Description of Epistemology and Theoretical Perspectives
Connection Between Epistemology and Theoretical Perspectives
How These Inform the Research Process
Effects on Implementation and Potential Findings
Presentation and Writing
Accurate and Systematic Referencing
1. Introduction to the Topic
Start by providing a brief overview of the importance of your research topic and the methodology you’ve chosen.
Example: “Obesity is a significant health issue for individuals with intellectual disabilities, often leading to severe health consequences and diminished quality of life. Physical activity programs are widely recommended to combat obesity in this population. This systematic scoping review aims to synthesize existing research on the effectiveness of these programs, guided by a post-positivist and pragmatic epistemology. By mapping the current evidence and identifying gaps, this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of how these programs influence obesity outcomes.”
2. Identification and Description of Epistemology and Theoretical Perspectives
Epistemology: Post-Positivism and Pragmatism
Post-Positivism:
Characteristics: Seeks to understand reality through structured, empirical methods, while acknowledging that all observations are fallible.
Application: The systematic scoping review will objectively gather and analyze existing data from studies on physical activity programs, aiming to draw generalized conclusions about their effectiveness.
Pragmatism:
Characteristics: Focuses on practical outcomes and embraces a flexible approach to research methods.
Application: Pragmatism allows for the inclusion of diverse types of evidence (quantitative and qualitative) to understand what works best in real-world settings for addressing obesity among intellectually disabled individuals.
Example: “Post-positivism provides a structured framework for systematically reviewing and synthesizing empirical evidence on physical activity programs, while pragmatism supports the inclusion of various types of studies to offer a practical, comprehensive view of their effectiveness.”
Theoretical Perspectives: Health Promotion Theory and Transtheoretical Model
Health Promotion Theory:
Characteristics: Focuses on how interventions can promote health behaviors and environments conducive to healthy living.
Application: This theory will help analyze how physical activity programs are designed and implemented to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce obesity among individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change):
Characteristics: Describes the stages individuals go through in changing behavior, from not considering change to maintaining new behaviors.
Application: This model will be used to understand how physical activity programs facilitate behavioral changes in participants and support them through different stages of adopting and maintaining physical activity.
Example: “Health Promotion Theory and the Transtheoretical Model provide theoretical lenses to examine the design and behavioral impact of physical activity programs. Together, they offer insights into how these programs can promote sustainable health behaviors and support individuals in progressing through stages of behavioral change.”
3. Connection Between Epistemology and Theoretical Perspectives
Explain how the chosen epistemology and theoretical perspectives are connected and how they enhance the understanding and implementation of your systematic scoping review.
Example: “The post-positivist approach ensures a systematic and empirical review of existing studies on physical activity programs, while pragmatism allows for the inclusion of diverse evidence types, reflecting the practical realities of implementing these programs. Health Promotion Theory and the Transtheoretical Model enrich this review by providing frameworks to evaluate how these programs are designed to promote health and facilitate behavior change.”
4. How These Inform the Research Process
Methodology: Systematic Scoping Review
A systematic scoping review aims to comprehensively survey existing literature to map the key concepts, evidence types, and research gaps related to your topic. Here’s how your epistemology and theoretical perspectives inform this process:
Epistemology:
Post-Positivism: Ensures a structured, rigorous review process, focusing on empirical evidence and aiming to synthesize quantifiable findings.
Pragmatism: Allows for a flexible inclusion of studies, accommodating both quantitative data and qualitative insights that offer practical perspectives on program implementation and effectiveness.
Theoretical Perspectives:
Health Promotion Theory: Guides the review by focusing on how studies design and evaluate physical activity programs to promote healthy behaviors.
Transtheoretical Model: Helps in analyzing how programs address different stages of behavioral change among participants.
Example: “The systematic scoping review will map existing research on physical activity programs, guided by post-positivist and pragmatic principles. This approach will include a variety of study designs, reflecting the practical application of these programs in real-world settings. Health Promotion Theory and the Transtheoretical Model will be used to evaluate how these programs are structured to encourage healthy behaviors and support participants through different stages of change.”
Methods
Outline the specific steps you will take in your systematic scoping review, including how you will collect and analyze data.
Defining the Research Questions:
What is the effectiveness of physical activity programs in reducing obesity among individuals with intellectual disabilities?
How do these programs promote health and facilitate behavioral changes?
Identifying Relevant Studies:
Databases: Use databases like PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO to find studies.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: Include studies that evaluate physical activity programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, both quantitative and qualitative.
Search Strategy: Develop a comprehensive search strategy using relevant keywords and Boolean operators.
Data Extraction:
Data Collection: Extract data on study design, population, interventions, outcomes, and theoretical frameworks used.
Data Charting: Use a data charting form to systematically record information from each study.
Data Analysis:
Descriptive Analysis: Summarize the characteristics of included studies, such as sample sizes, intervention types, and outcomes measured.
Thematic Analysis: Identify themes related to how programs are designed to promote health and facilitate behavioral change, guided by Health Promotion Theory and the Transtheoretical Model.
Example: “The systematic scoping review will involve defining clear research questions and using a structured search strategy to identify relevant studies. Data will be extracted on various aspects of the studies, including program design and outcomes. Descriptive analysis will summarize the study characteristics, while thematic analysis will explore how programs align with Health Promotion Theory and support participants through the Transtheoretical Model stages.”
5. Effects on Implementation and Potential Findings
Discuss how the choice of epistemology, theoretical perspectives, and methodology might influence your research implementation and the findings you expect.
Implementation: How you will carry out the review, including the steps you will take to ensure a comprehensive and systematic approach.
Potential Findings: What kinds of insights you anticipate, including the effectiveness of programs and the identification of research gaps.
Example: “Implementing the systematic scoping review will involve a meticulous process of identifying and analyzing a wide range of studies. The use of post-positivist and pragmatic approaches ensures that the review is both rigorous and adaptable to include diverse types of evidence. We anticipate finding a variety of physical activity programs with varying levels of effectiveness, highlighting best practices and areas where more research is needed. Additionally, insights into how these programs support behavioral change will be gleaned through the lenses of Health Promotion Theory and the Transtheoretical Model.”
6. Presentation and Writing
Ensure your assignment is well-structured and clearly presented:
Use Visuals: Diagrams, tables, and flowcharts to illustrate your methodology, theoretical frameworks, and findings.
Clear Sections: Organize your paper into distinct sections with headings and subheadings.
Concise Writing: Be clear and concise in your explanations. Use bullet points and lists to break down complex information.
7. Accurate and Systematic Referencing
Cite all sources used in your research systematically. Use the required citation style for in-text citations and your reference list.
Example Conclusion
“In this systematic scoping review, post-positivism and pragmatism will guide a comprehensive exploration of the effectiveness of physical activity programs in addressing obesity among individuals with intellectual disabilities. The integration of Health Promotion Theory and the Transtheoretical Model will offer valuable insights into how these programs promote healthy behaviors and support participants through different stages of change. By mapping the current evidence, this review aims to highlight effective strategies and identify areas for future research.”
Final Tips:
Focus on Process: Emphasize how each step in your research process is influenced by your epistemology and theoretical perspectives.
Include visuals and cite them
Use Clear Examples: Illustrate your points with clear examples from your planned review.
Edit and Proofread: Ensure your assignment is clear, concise, and free of errors.
Please ensure the following citations are included:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891422217301932?via%3Dihub
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1741-1130.2011.00293.x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12462
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jir.12100
https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/apaq/24/1/article-p1.xml
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30185105/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40670-019-00898-9
https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2969274
https://iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2008.00345.x
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/9/1491
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1090198111418634
https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1132657
https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=G8oQEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA214&dq=Positivism/Post-positivism+in+systematic+review&ots=Ui_v05UJQM&sig=V0sOCE1O_2vJMfi4z8SeC7bNEQw#v=onepage&q=Positivism%2FPost-positivism%20in%20systematic%20review&f=false
https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=9SUXEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA13&dq=Positivism/Post-positivism+in+systematic+review&ots=aaIN8oeybK&sig=gS8r4-SQld4nOZwPwjWIgZ0Xcsc#v=onepage&q=Positivism%2FPost-positivism%20in%20systematic%20review&f=false
https://www.jstor.org/stable/4545222?casa_token=o6KdUhvjFtUAAAAA%3AfLHxeuM8x3wcyV7JC9IGjVpC_XkoY6VZXn-uaC7kBwGieGLODDgsTKooektD-Ioh-1ZX9QIPlxSrsRkYJDTydBCmVpYCLGJNHV8GEzg1FU4F963GqBI
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2059799120937242
include 10+ of your own references too
