scholarly journals Methods of Assessing Sedentary Behaviour

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Marconcin ◽  
Pedro B. Júdice ◽  
Gerson Ferrari ◽  
André Werneck ◽  
Adilson Marques

Increasing amounts of time spent in sedentary behaviour (SB), during occupation or recreation activities, is considered a global health problem. SB has been associated with several non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality. Thus, it is essential to assess SB through the most accurate and suitable measurement tools. This chapter presents an overview of different methods for assessing SB and highlights the importance of determining the best measurement tool. In choosing an appropriate and accurate method, it is relevant to consider multiple factors, such as population characteristics, context, validity and reliability of measurement tools, and potential research and participant burdens. Subjective measurements, such as self-reported questionnaires, are widely used in epidemiologic studies because they are easy to administer at low cost. However, there is a large variety of questionnaires, which makes it difficult to select a single questionnaire to assess SB. Device-based measurements are more accurate for assessing SB as well as determining bouts and breaks. Both methods present strengths and limitations, and when possible, researchers should use a combination of device-based and subjective methods to improve SB assessment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sintia Gumara Dini

Happiness is a subjective concept because every individual has a different benchmark. Nolen-Hoeksema (1998) argues that adolescents have a higher level of depression than adults, who tend to show lower levels. For that reason, there needs to be a scale to measure happiness in adolescents. This research aims to construct a happiness scale for adolescents in Yogyakarta to measure the level of happiness of adolescents in Yogyakarta in a valid way because not all measurement tools used in western cultures can be implemented in the east. This research uses a constructed psychological measurement tool. This research involves 120 adolescents aged 16-18 years in Yogyakarta. In the factorial validity test or factor analysis, there are several items separated from the initial indicators that form new indicators. These, however, are still able to uncover the aim of constructing the scale. From the 60 items proposed, five items were rejected, and 55 others were considered appropriate. Reliability testing yields a result of 0.936, meaning that the scale has a sufficient level of reliability.


Author(s):  
Sophie M. Phillips ◽  
Carolyn Summerbell ◽  
Matthew Hobbs ◽  
Kathryn R. Hesketh ◽  
Sonia Saxena ◽  
...  

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) of pre-school aged children are associated with important health and developmental outcomes. Accurate measurement of these behaviours in young children is critical for research and practice in this area. The aim of this review was to examine the validity, reliability, and feasibility of measurement tools used to assess PA and SB of pre-school aged children.Searches of electronic databases, and manual searching, were conducted to identify articles that examined the measurement properties (validity, reliability or feasibility) of measurement tools used to examine PA and/or SB of pre-school aged children (3–7 years old). Following screening, data were extracted and risk of bias assessment completed on all included articles.A total of 69 articles, describing 75 individual studies were included. Studies assessed measurement tools for PA (n = 27), SB (n = 5), and both PA and SB (n = 43). Outcome measures of PA and SB differed between studies (e.g. moderate to vigorous activity, step count, posture allocation). Most studies examined the measurement properties of one measurement tool only (n = 65). Measurement tools examined included: calorimetry, direct observation, combined heart rate and accelerometry, heart rate monitors, accelerometers, pedometers, and proxy report (parent, carer or teacher reported) measures (questionnaires or diaries). Studies most frequently assessed the validity (criterion and convergent) (n = 65), face and content validity (n = 2), test-retest reliability (n = 10) and intra-instrument reliability (n = 1) of the measurement tools. Feasibility data was abstracted from 41 studies.Multiple measurement tools used to measure PA and SB in pre-school aged children showed some degree of validity, reliability and feasibility, but often for different purposes. Accelerometers, including the Actigraph (in particular GT3X versions), Actical, ActivPAL and Fitbit (Flex and Zip), and proxy reported measurement tools used in combination may be useful for a range of outcome measures, to measure intensity alongside contextual information.


Author(s):  
Baris Sezer ◽  
Gulsen Tasdelen Teker ◽  
Tufan Asli Sezer ◽  
Melih Elcin

A review of literature reveals serious problems in the validity and reliability of the measurement tools used in simulation technology acceptance studies conducted in the context of various technology acceptance models. To address this gap in literature, this study proposes a measurement tool that will allow a valid and reliable measurement of students’ acceptance levels. The study was conducted in the 2017–2018 academic year and involved a group of 409 health sciences students. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine the construct validity of the conclusions based on gathered measurements. At the end of the EFA, a construct with a single factor and 24 items which explained 54.87 percent of the total variance was obtained. Based on the findings of the research, it was concluded that simulation acceptance scale produced from the EFA could be used for valid and reliable measurements regarding the general acceptance of simulation technologies by the health sciences students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 677-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Wai Yu Chan ◽  
Adnan Kisa

Background. Despite the strong link between health literacy and cardiovascular health outcomes, health literacy measurements remain flawed and fragmented. There exists a gap in the knowledge when formulating a valid measurement to capture the broad concept of health literacy. The existence of various tools for health literacy measurement also hampers the availability of health literacy data. Additionally, little research is available on a valid measurement tool for cardiovascular health literacy. Objective. This study aims to provide an overview of the health literacy measurement tools used in the context of cardiovascular health. Method. A scoping review was conducted. Two electronic databases, Medline and Embase, were searched to identify studies that described a tool for the measurement of health literacy in the context of cardiovascular health. Results. After reviewing the available studies, 53 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 26 health literacy measurement tools were identified in the studies. Among the 26 tools, 16 used an objective measurement approach, 9 adopted a subjective approach, and 1 employed a mixed approach. Additionally, 28 studies used tools to measure print literacy, 15 studies measured print literacy and numeracy, and 5 studies measured print literacy, oral literacy, and numeracy. Conclusions. STOFHLA, TOFHLA, and REALM were the mostly commonly used tools in the selected studies. The majority of tools were based heavily on reading skills and word recognition. Researchers should focus on the development of more comprehensive and reliable health literacy measurement tool(s) specific to cardiovascular health to assist health care providers to more efficiently and accurately identify people with cardiovascular problems who have inadequate health literacy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110230
Author(s):  
Çiğdem Yavuz Güler

Objective: According to the family systems theory, triangulation is defined as reflecting and conveying the tension between two individuals to a third individual to reduce the existing tension, stress, and anxiety. This study was conducted to adapt the “Triangular Relationship Inventory” to Turkish and to assess psychometric properties. Method: The sample of the study included 337 individuals (234 women and 103 men) aged between 18 and 25 years. The structure validity of the inventory was evaluated with the confirmatory factor analysis and reliability was evaluated with Chronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient, test–retest method, and item analyses. Results: The result showed that the Turkish form of the Triangular Relationship Inventory showed similar psychometric properties to the original inventory. The structure which consists of the balanced, mediator, cross-generational coalition, and scapegoat subdimensions of 24 items displayed acceptable goodness-of-fit values in the Turkish sample with the 0.91 Cronbach's alpha coefficient while the reliability values of the subdimensions changed between 0.86 and 0.91. Considering the convergent validity of the inventory, there was a negative correlation between the triangular relationship and satisfaction with life and the differentiation of self, and a significant positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: The psychometric properties revealed in this study show that the Turkish form of the Triangular Relationship Inventory is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to measure the triangulation levels and roles of the individuals, who are in the Turkish sample and between the ages of 18 and 25 years, within the family system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozan Karaca ◽  
S. Ayhan Çalışkan ◽  
Kadir Demir

Abstract Background It is unlikely that applications of artificial intelligence (AI) will completely replace physicians. However, it is very likely that AI applications will acquire many of their roles and generate new tasks in medical care. To be ready for new roles and tasks, medical students and physicians will need to understand the fundamentals of AI and data science, mathematical concepts, and related ethical and medico-legal issues in addition with the standard medical principles. Nevertheless, there is no valid and reliable instrument available in the literature to measure medical AI readiness. In this study, we have described the development of a valid and reliable psychometric measurement tool for the assessment of the perceived readiness of medical students on AI technologies and its applications in medicine. Methods To define medical students’ required competencies on AI, a diverse set of experts’ opinions were obtained by a qualitative method and were used as a theoretical framework, while creating the item pool of the scale. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were applied. Results A total of 568 medical students during the EFA phase and 329 medical students during the CFA phase, enrolled in two different public universities in Turkey participated in this study. The initial 27-items finalized with a 22-items scale in a four-factor structure (cognition, ability, vision, and ethics), which explains 50.9% cumulative variance that resulted from the EFA. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was 0.87. CFA indicated appropriate fit of the four-factor model (χ2/df = 3.81, RMSEA = 0.094, SRMR = 0.057, CFI = 0.938, and NNFI (TLI) = 0.928). These values showed that the four-factor model has construct validity. Conclusions The newly developed Medical Artificial Intelligence Readiness Scale for Medical Students (MAIRS-MS) was found to be valid and reliable tool for evaluation and monitoring of perceived readiness levels of medical students on AI technologies and applications. Medical schools may follow ‘a physician training perspective that is compatible with AI in medicine’ to their curricula by using MAIRS-MS. This scale could be benefitted by medical and health science education institutions as a valuable curriculum development tool with its learner needs assessment and participants’ end-course perceived readiness opportunities.


Author(s):  
Nicola S. Pocock ◽  
Clara W. Chan ◽  
Cathy Zimmerman

Child domestic work (CDW) is a hidden form of child labour. Globally, there were an estimated 17.2 million CDWs aged 5–17 in 2012, but there has been little critical analysis of methods and survey instruments used to capture prevalence of CDW. This rapid systematic review identified and critically reviewed the measurement tools used to estimate CDWs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42019148702). Fourteen studies were included. In nationally representative surveys, CDW prevalence ranged from 17% among 13–24-year-old females in Haiti to 2% of children aged 10–17 in Brazil. Two good quality studies and one good quality measurement tool were identified. CDW prevalence was assessed using occupation-based methods (n = 9/14), household roster (n = 7) and industry methods (n = 4). Six studies combined approaches. Four studies included task-based questions; one study used this method to formally calculate prevalence. The task-based study estimated 30,000 more CDWs compared to other methods. CDWs are probably being undercounted, based on current standard measurement approaches. We recommend use of more sensitive, task-based methods for inclusion in household surveys. The cognitive and pilot testing of newly developed task-based questions is essential to ensure comprehension. In analyses, researchers should consider CDWs who may be disguised as distant or non-relatives.


2008 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Van Niekerk ◽  
Q. Louw

Measuring upper quadrant posture and movement is a challenge to researchers and clinicians. A  range of postural measurement tools is commonly used in the clinical setting and in research projects to evaluate postural align-ment, but information about the validity and reliability of these tools and thus as election of the optimal tool for a specific project is often uncertain. This reviewaims to make recommendations to clinicians and researchers regarding practical,valid and reliable tools to assess upper quadrant posture and range of motion.Electronic databases and key journals were searched. An adapted appraisal toolwas utilised to assess the methodology for each of the nine selected articles. Nine eligible articles reporting on thegoniometer, flexicurve and inclinometer were included. This review highlights the fact that a range of two-dimensional(2D) posture measurement tools are being used in clinical practice and research. Although the findings for the reliability and validity of the tools included in this review appear to be promising, strong recommendations are limited by the imprecision of the results. Thus, the primary issue hampering the recommendation for the most reliable and valid tool to use in the clinical or research setting is due to the limitations pertaining the analysis of the data, and the interpretation thereof.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Elissa Elvidge ◽  
Yin Paradies ◽  
Rosemary Aldrich ◽  
Carl Holder

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to develop a scale to measure cultural safety in hospitals from an Aboriginal patient perspective. MethodsThe Cultural Safety Survey was designed to measure five key characteristics of cultural safety that contribute to positive hospital experiences among Aboriginal hospital patients. Investigators developed a range of different methods to assess the validity and reliability of the scale using a sample of 316 participants who had attended a New South Wales hospital in the past 12 months. Targeted recruitment was conducted at two hospital sites. Opportunistic recruitment took place through a local health district, discharge follow-up service and online via social media. ResultsThe Cultural Safety Survey Scale was a robust measurement tool that demonstrated a high level of content and construct validity. ConclusionThe Cultural Safety Survey Scale could be a useful tool for measuring cultural safety in hospitals from the Aboriginal patient perspective. What is known about the topic?There are increasing calls by governments around the world for health institutions to enhance the cultural safety of their services as one way of removing access barriers and increasing health equity. However, currently there are no critical indicators or systematic methods of measuring cultural safety from the patient perspective. What does this paper add?The cultural safety scale, an Australian first, presents the first empirically validated tool that measures cultural safety from the Aboriginal patient perspective. What are the implications for practitioners?This measurement model will allow hospitals to measure the cultural safety of their services and ascertain whether current efforts aimed to improve cultural safety are resulting in Aboriginal patients reporting more culturally safe experiences. Over time it is hoped that the tool will be used to benchmark performance and eventually be adopted as a performance measure for hospitals across New South Wales.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-222
Author(s):  
Serpil Deniz ◽  
Birsen Bağçeci

The purpose of this study is to examine the validity and reliability of the Distance Education Attitude Scale for Teachers, which was developed to reveal teachers’ attitudes towards distance education during the COVID-19 outbreak. Statistical analyses were performed on 458 of the collected forms. The study group was randomly divided into two and the EFA process was conducted with 205 participants and the CFA process with 253 participants. KMO and Bartlett tests were performed to determine the suitability of the data for EFA. The KMO value was 0.0885 and the Bartlett test was statistically significant (χ2=3141, df=703, p<0.001). EFA results show that the DEASFT structure consists of 21 items and two factors, and these factors are named as “Benefits of Distance Education” and “Limitations of Distance Education”. CFA was applied on the data of 253 different people to the factor structures obtained as a result of AFA Analyses. One item was dropped from the scale because p values (0.178) is bigger than 0.05. According to fit indices (χ²/df < 1.5, CFI=0.953 > 0.9, TLI=0.942 > 0.9, SRMR=0.0735 < 0.8, RMSEA=0.0427 < 0.05), the scale is validated. The final version of scale has two factors and 20 items. Cronbach Alpha and composite reliability coefficients were calculated for reliability. For factor 1 Cronbach α=0.847 and McDonald’s ω=0.836. For factor 2 Cronbach α=0.815 and McDonald’s ω=0.845. The results of the analysis show that the scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool for determining teachers’ attitudes towards distance education.


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