This methodology design outlines a quasi-experimental research approach for evaluating smoking cessation interventions using behavioral change techniques (BCT). The study employs simple random sampling from a neighborhood population of 101 adult smokers, selecting 10 participants divided into control and treatment groups. The research framework demonstrates systematic approaches to sampling strategy, research design, and intervention methodology for public health cessation studies.
A sample of adult smokers within my neighborhood would be selected, specifically those who have not quit smoking within six months. The sample size would be ten since the best sample size is considered when it is 10% of the entire target population (Tools 4 Dev, n.a.). There are approximately 101 adult smokers in my vicinity who have not quit smoking within the last six months.
The sample would be extracted from my neighborhood since I know many people who are smokers in my area. I am not acquainted with all of the 101 participants of the said area; I know only 14 of them. I selected 10 out of 101 smokers because I contacted the 14 known ones, described my purpose of research, and asked them if they have any other friends or neighbors in the area who are adult smokers. Therefore, the total number of adult smokers in the whole neighborhood was calculated to be 101, out of which ten were selected after calculating the best sample size. Moreover, a sample of 10 people could also have been selected from the 14 adult smokers that I already knew. Still, since I wanted to be sure that I was taking the correct sample size representing the targeted population, I deemed it better to know the full magnitude and then extract the right size.
The sampling strategy used for this research is probability sample, more specifically, simple random sampling. The reason for selecting this sampling method is that it is time-saving and easy to use. There is convenient access to the target population, and each participant\\\\\\\'s probability of being selected is the same. The entire population is accessible for the researcher, of which any of the ten participants could be selected to guarantee that the correct sample size is taken (Elfil & Negida, 2017).
As the sample extracted is fair since each member had an equal chance of being selected, it is believed that this method would give lesser bias. The true representation of the target population is given since it is ensured that if the sample is not representing the population, it is a sampling error (Sharma, 2017). Hence, the generalizations of the full target population would be easier to make once the results are attained, particularly based on whether BCT treatment was effective for smoking cessation or not.
The research design for current research would be quasi-experimental, and two groups would be involved, with five members in each group. One would be the control group who would not receive behavioral change technique (BCT) treatment, and the other would be those adult smokers who have not quit smoking in the past six months after receiving BCT. Their comparison would help discern how effective the behavioral intervention is for smoking cessation.
It should be noted that a quasi-experimental research design is different from a true experiment since it does not contain random selection and no active manipulation. It aims to establish credible quasi-experimental research where statistically modeled results would be obtained so that variation in the control group and the group receiving treatment could be accurately investigated (Reeves, Wells & Waddington, 2017). It would be done so that allocation to either control or normal group would not be known to the participants so that better natural outcomes are obtained. Although, compliance to the research ethics would still be considered as human participants would be informed about the entire research purpose, and their consent would be taken before the conduction (Wu et al., 2019).
You’re 82% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.