Aims and ObjectivesThis study intends to describe patterns of risk factors and demographics and to identify the relationship between risk factors an

Aims and ObjectivesThis study intends to describe patterns of risk factors and demographics and to identify the relationship between risk factors and HTN knowledge, treatment and control. Further, it examines the mediating effect of medication adherence and self-management on this relationship in HTN patients.

The study objectives are as follows:

to examine the demographics and risk factors characteristics in a rural area in China

to investigate the effect of risk factors on participants HTN knowledge, treatment and control

to assess risk factors relationship with medication adherence and self-management

to evaluate the mediating effect of medication adherence and self-management on the relationship between risk factors and HTN knowledge, treatment and control.

Research Questions and HypothesisResearch questions.Is there any relationship between behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) and HTN knowledge, treatment and control?

Is there any relationship between behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) and medication adherence and self-management?

Do medication adherence and self-management mediate the relationship between behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) and HTN knowledge, treatment and control?

Hypotheses.Alternative hypothesis 1: Behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) are believed to have an effect on participants HTN knowledge, treatment and control.

Null hypothesis 1: Behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) are believed to have no effect on participants HTN knowledge, treatment and control.

Alternative hypothesis 2: Behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) are believed to have an effect on participants medication adherence and self-management.

Null hypothesis 2: Behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) are believed to have no effect on participants medication adherence and self-management.

Alternative hypothesis 3: Medication adherence and self-management are believed to mediate the relationship between behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) and HTN knowledge, treatment and control.

Null hypothesis 3: Medication adherence and self-management are believed to have no mediating effect on the relationship between behavioural risk factors (dietary habits, smoking, drinking and physical exercise) and HTN knowledge, treatment and control.

Research Framework (Conceptual Framework)

Based on the literature review, behavioural risk factors such as smoking, drinking, physical inactivity and excess salt intake affect the likelihood of HTN and HTN knowledge, treatment and control. Further, HTN knowledge, treatment and control could be influenced by the mediating effects of medication adherence and self-management. Effective BP control can be achieved in most people with HTN through lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive drugs (Shaw & Bosworth, 2012). However, even when under the care of the most diligent clinicians, patients can only achieve HTN control if they adhere to their medication regimen and practise self-management skills. Broadly speaking, medication adherence is an aspect of HTN self-management (Lin, Jueng & Tzu, 2009). HTN self-management has been reported to be more effective at lowering BP in a study conducted by McManus et al. (2010). People with HTN who maintain high levels of medication adherence and self-management skills are expected to have better rates of HTN knowledge, treatment and control. Several studies have explored the intertwining relationships between risk factors and HTN knowledge, treatment and control, although this was not examined in this study; however, the mediating effect of medication adherence and self-management has not been examined in the literature. Figure 1 depicts how the important factors in the current study are interrelated. The study conceptualises that HTN knowledge, treatment and control are negatively related to risk factors including smoking, excessive drinking, high sodium intake and physical inactivity. Further, medication adherence and self-management are anticipated to mediate the effects on the relationship between risk factors and HTN knowledge, treatment and control.

310515071120003315970153670Self-management skills

00Self-management skills

1619256858000381000153670Medication adherence

00Medication adherence

1076325165100023431491651000

16192518415000246380224790Behavioural risk factors: smoking, drinking, high salt intake, physical inactivity

00Behavioural risk factors: smoking, drinking, high salt intake, physical inactivity

2466975168909003987165258445Confounding variables: age, gender, education and monthly income

00Confounding variables: age, gender, education and monthly income

153479513779500

38620693111500

1916430148590001916430307340HTN knowledge, treatment and control

00HTN knowledge, treatment and control

Figure 1. The research framework of the relationship between interrelated factors.

SET B

6002HLS Assignment 1 Guide & Requirements

Assignment 1 consists of two parts: PART 1 and PART 2.

PART 1 aims to evaluate your understanding of research design, including fundamental concepts of quantitative study design, sampling techniques, and basic statistical principles. This knowledge will serve as a basis for the subsequent statistical analyses. For PART 1, you have the flexibility to select your research topic and formulate your research design accordingly.

Kindly be aware that we will employ different methods to detect plagiarism. This means any copied content from other assignments or previously published research will be identified, and your submission will receive a score of 0.

Specifically for assignment 1 in PART 1, you need to describe how you would conduct this research by developing the research question(s), research hypotheses, develop research rationale, choosing an appropriate study design and sampling methods, describing potential data collection methods, and finally identifying ways for describing and analysing the data. This part draws on what you have learned from Modules 1, 2, & 3 of the course work.

PART 2 aims to assess your understanding of descriptive statistical methods, including data summary, data presentation, and data interpretation techniques. For this part, you need to describe the variable types and use the descriptive analysis method to summarise and present the results for the given dataset. Please do not use inferential statistics (such as t-tests, correlation analysis, etc.) for this assignment. This part draws on what you have learned from Modules 2 (topic 3) & 4 of the coursework.

Therefore, once completed, this assignment is about how you would design a research project and use appropriate analytical methods to summarise data, present data, and interpret data.

Formatting and submission

The assignment should be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point font size, and 1.5-spacing with 2.5cm margins all around

Please keep a backup copy

Please submit your assignment through the Canvas course site portal via our Learning@Griffith course site

Please include your name, student number, and the name of your course convenors on the cover page.

Please provide your submission in a Word document to facilitate easier commenting for the Marker. Writing comments on a PDF version can be challenging.

For the given questions, the allotted mark for each question is indicated beside each question. The total value of the assignment is 40 marks (40% of the overall assessment for this course).

Please answer the questions completely but succinctly. Be as concise as possible while still giving the necessary information. Your answers need to be in your own words to show that you understand the area. You need to cite sources or provide references when you justify the research rationale.

Extensions must be submitted online through the system. Please read the detailed instructions here: https://www.griffith.edu.au/students/assessment-exams-grades/assessment-applications

Extensions cannot be applied for on the day or the day before the assignment is due. It is your responsibility to ensure that your assignment is submitted on time. Assignments will lose 1 mark for each day late, including weekends. There are no variations to these requirements.

Length: Max 3000 words (excluding references, tables and graphs)

Maximum: 15 tables and/or graphs

References (included citations) is maximum 10 (1 or 2 references is acceptable as references are not essential for this assignment).

Referencing style can be either APA, or Vancouver or Harvard style. Be consistent in the use of only one style.

Weight: 40%

Due date: 12pm, Friday, 26 April 2024.

No extension will be given as the extensive time length is already given to all students. Please start the assignment work as early as possible.

You must submit your assignment:

How and where: Submit to Canvas course site via Learning@Griffith: Assessment folder: Assignment 1 submission.

Structure, Requirement, and

Marking Guide of Assignment 1

Part I (23 marks)

Please choose your own study topic and develop your research design. Please note that the wording must be different from the proposal that you have developed through the 6001HLS Dissertation Preparation course if you are currently doing the 6001HLS Dissertation Preparation course, as we do cross-check across subjects between course convenors.

Please follow the assignment structure to complete the assignment that I have specified for both Part I and Part II. Please do not create your own assignment structure.

Please follow the assignment structure below (Requirements are sentences in red colours in the brackets).

Introduction section (Total: 10 marks)

Brief introduction of the area of research relevant to your topic of research interests (4 Marks)

(Less than 200 words, up to 10 references; please provide reasons why you think the study is important in the field, what has been done and where are the gaps in the chosen study topic, and what is the significance of the study. You need to describe the relationship between dependent and independent variables.)

Provide research questions, study aims and objectives (3 Marks)

(You need to provide research questions, study aim, and specific research objectives to specify the study aim)

Provide research hypotheses for the study based on the given study aim (1 Mark)

(You need to provide both alternative and null hypotheses, and you may have more than one pair of hypotheses depending on the number of objectives you may have for the study)

(4). Provide a conceptual research framework for the study based on the given study aims and objectives (2 Marks)

(Draw the conceptual research framework that shows the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Then, explain why do you think the independent and dependent variables are related or correlated; your framework should consist of a figure).

Methods section (Total: 13 Marks)

Which design is appropriate in investigating the question in your study;

Provide justification for why you have made this choice (2 Marks)

(Please just give the name of the study design, such as a randomised control trial, experimental study, or cohort study design. Then explain why you chose this type of study design.

You need to describe your study design plan: e.g., if it is a randomised control trial, how would you do randomisation, blinding (double bling is preferred), and control group type (placebo or control)? If it is not a randomised control trial, how would you control the confounding effect from variables other than dependent and independent variables; how would you ensure the generalisation of the study through the study design?).

Who will be your study sample? What is your target population? What is your sampling frame? What are your comparison groups? Are they groups and/or time points? Please indicate these details in your response. (4 Marks).

(You need to describe the target population and your study sample in relation to the sampling issue. If you have a sampling frame, please indicate this. If there are two study groups, what is/are your comparison or control group? How many groups and how many time points you would choose for your data collection?).

What are the names of variables? Please list all variables, including dependent or independent variables, and describe the types of variables. (2 Marks)

(You need to describe the names of the variables: for example, dependent variables, independent variables, and demographic variables. In addition, please explain the type of each variable: e.g., ratio, interval, ordinal, nominal or dichotomous variable).

What are your data collection methods, and how would you measure the variables designed in the study? (1 Marks)

(You need to describe the data collection methods, measures in detail and data collection procedures, such as survey method or physiological or laboratory tests or mixed data collection methods or others, what variables are measured, how you will collect data [e.g., access to medical record, get access to patients at hospital, community intervention projects managed by City Council], when and where you will get your data?).

Once you have determined the best and most feasible sampling method, you must decide on the size of the sample you will need to be able to best reflect what is true of the population. Conduct an appropriate sample size calculation for this study (2 marks).

(You need to select the right sample size formula for your study; first, select your precision; remember, most researchers permit a level of 5% type I error, assuming a two-tailed hypothesis, and a 10 per cent type II error. Are you comparing repeated measurements as in a pretest/post-test study? Are you comparing measurements when there are two comparison groups?, e.g. comparing the mean or proportion between the study and comparison groups.?)

Limitations of the study

(6) Are there potential sources of bias or error related to this research design?

What might they be? (2 Marks)

(Please describe any potential errors or biases that may arise in the study design, sampling,

data collection processes)

Part 2 (17 marks)

You have been randomly allocated 1/6 datasets from the teaching team for Assignment 1 Part 2. You are required to independently complete the questions for this study. Only use the dataset that was assigned to you.

Part 2 consists of 3 questions for a total of 17 marks.

Database: Open Assignment 1_SET B. sav

Project title: Surgical Site Infections among Australian older people

Based on the following information about the study, please provide analysis plan for the study.

Objective: To examine the characteristics of a sample of Australian older people

Rationale The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between patients' demographic characteristics, hospital information, and Surgical Site Infections during their hospital stay.

Subjects The eligible participants for this study were elderly individuals who were admitted to an elder hospital. To be eligible, participants needed to have their family members sign consent on their behalf. The study comprised a total of 1000 participants.

Data Hospital information data

1)Surgical Site Infections

2)Department

3) Bedtime (days): corresponds to the duration, measured in days, during which a person spends time in bed

4)The number of days in hospital

Demographic data:

Age

Height

Weight

Gender

Having medical insurance

Smoking

Education

Range of data Measurements:

Surgical Site Infection: Yes/No

Department: 1: CCU; 2: Hepatological surgery; 3: Infectious medicine; 4: Orthopaedics; 7: Immune medicine; 8: general surgery; 9: Neurology medicine; 10: Neurology surgery; 11: GI; 12: Cardiac surgery; 13: Cardiovascular; 14: Chest surgery; 15: Specific ICU; 16: General ICU; 17: General internal medicine

Age range: 60 -100

Height: cm

Weight: 0-90 kg

Gender score: 0 female; 1: male

Bedtime: 0-1000 days

Number of days in hospital: 0-100 days

Having medical insurance: 0: No; 1: Yes

Smoking: 0: No; 1: Yes

Education level: 0-4

Please follow the assignment structure below (Detailed notes are presented in red colours in the brackets).

Variables: you need to identify the variables and measurement types for each variable (2 marks)

(You need to describe the type of variable, i.e., specify whether they are

dichotomous, nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio type for the variables)

2. Data management and data cleaning (2 marks)

Please delete data are outside the range of the scores which were specified above.

(REMEMBER THAT DATA CLEANING would be included as part of the process in determining the quality of the data Please check invalid values and duplication of the cases).

Please record every action you will make and present the ID number and action you will take in a table (e.g., deletion of invalid values and duplication of the cases).

Please use table to list up to three columns: ID number, problems, and actions.

Please use this table format to complete the data cleaning processProblem ID Action

Delete a number in a data cell (provide identified error)

Variable outside range

(Delete only a wrong number, not the whole persons data)

Bedtime

Number of days in hospital

Education level

Weight

Wrong data (e.g. typos)

(Delete only a wrong number, not the whole persons data)

Gender

Having medical insurance

Smoking

Having medical insurance Repeated/duplicate data (delete whole persons data by checking ID number) Delete whole case data for age outside the age range (60-100) Note. Missing data can be retained as system missing or be changed to -999. If you change it to be -999, you need to change the missing cells as -999 in the data in the data view, so SPSS can identify discrete missing values.

3. Descriptive Analysis: For each variable, choose the appropriate numerical statistical summary and or graphical summary, provide the results of statistical assumption (skewness and kurtosis figures) if the variables are ratio or interval data type (total 13 marks):

Normality check (2 marks). The distribution of the continuous variables need to be checked. This can be checked by using descriptive statistics analysis (checking skewness and kurtosis) (This is for you to answer research question only).

Conduct data analysis using SPSS and present data using publication format (5 marks): Please run descriptive analysis, then use publication table presentation format to present the results. Graphs can be used but not repeating the results when you have already presented them. Please justify the reason of your choice of data presentation method. You need to describe how you will present the data for each variable based on the statistical assumption check. The statistical assumption is normality check if the variables are interval or ratio data. If the variable does not show the normal distribution pattern, you need to present data using median and range (min, max). Please do not do any comparison analysis or association analysis for this assignment as you are only assessed for your understanding of descriptive analysis.

Interpretation of the results (6 marks): Finally, you need to describe the descriptive analysis results for each variable and explain what the results mean to the audience using the descriptive analysis method.