#35321 1 Pg within 4 Hrs

This is an example of the post I need. It is just to show you because it is from a classmate. INITIAL POST Planning a study should incorporate considering factors which may increase threats to its validity (Polit & Beck, 2017). According to Polit & Beck (2017) “when researchers introduce design features to minimize potential threats, the validity of the inference is strengthened, and thus, evidence is more persuasive” (Polit & Beck, 2017, p. 216). Preventable mistakes can lead to flawed conclusions, which can result in inappropriate interventions and potential patient harm (Sweetman & Doig, 2011). Internal validity infers that the independent variable, and not another factor, caused the outcome (Polit & Beck, 2017). The article I reviewed is titled: An intervention program to promote health-related physical fitness in nurses. The method describes a study with 99 nurse participants, divided into an experimental and control group, with the experimental group participating in a three-month intervention program of treadmill exercise (Yuan et al., 2008). Physical fitness indicators were assessed in both groups before and after the study (Yuan et al., 2009). The participants came from five different units, and the units assigned the volunteers to the experimental and control groups (Yuan et al., 2008). I take issue with the units assigning the participants, rather than the researchers. Did the units select out of shape or sedentary participants for the experimental group, who would likely show improvements in fitness by adding exercise to their routine? The control group showed better health-related indicators before the study and the experimental group showed better indicators after the study completed (Yuan et al., 2008). However, there is no conclusive evidence that treadmill activity alone accounted for the improvement. To strengthen the study, I would recommend the researchers select and divide participants who are all at or about the same level in fitness and physical indicators. I would also recommend giving more specific parameters to follow, such as: diet for both groups and a commitment for the experimental group to use only the treadmill, for a specified daily amount of time at a specified setting, for the duration of three months. Strengthening the internal validity will provide improved and more accurate evidence, which will improve statistical conclusion, construct and external validities. References Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philidelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. Sweetman, E., & Doig, G. (2011, September 1). Failure to report protocol violations in clinical trials: a threat to internal validity? Trials Journal, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-12-214 Yuan, S., Chou, M., Hwu, L., Chang, Y., Hsu, W., & Kuo, H. (2008, April 8). An intervention program to promote health-related physical fitness in nurses. Journal of Clinical Nursing , 18(10), 1404-1411. https://doi.org/https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02699.x