Data Collection Methodology 1
RESEARCH PROPOSAL:
Data Collection Methodology
Eric Teemer
Liberty University
NURS500
September 26, 2021
Data Collection Methodology 2
Sampling
The research design will follow a quantitative, quasi-experimental design that will
impose controlled preventative measure of psychotherapy implemented to 1 of 2 cohorts and
recruitment will be on a volunteer basis. Each cohort will have an approximate intake population
of 2000 new military soldiers. The intake of these soldiers will begin upon them entering the
military. The intake for 2000 new soldiers is to account for the 11-14% of soldiers who do not
make it past basic training (Powers, 2019). This population of participants will be constantly
monitored throughout their military time but will have initial assessments via the Global
Assessment of Functioning (GAF) (Scale (0-100) (Andric et al. 2017), (1) prior to basic training,
(2) after basic training, and (3) upon arrival to their first duty station. Inclusion sampling criteria
must include new soldiers prior to basic training, everyone must score between 100-91 on the
GAF Scale, and no history of mental illness. If any medication taken is used for any
improvement of mental state those individuals will be excluded from the experiment.
Measurement
This study will be measured by the patient’s participation of a questionnaire, and medical
review of the soldier’s recorders (conducted by a physician). The combined responses of the
questionnaire and the input of the physician or nurse practitioner will used for the Global
Assessment of Functioning (GAF) (Andric, et al. 2017). The Global Assessment of Functioning,
or GAF, scale is used to measure how serious a mental illness such as post-traumatic stress
disorder may be. The scale of the GAF ranges from 0-100 based on symptoms of day-to-day
functions (Smith, 2021) The higher your score on the scale the better you're able to handle daily
activities. All scores will be graphed to show possible changes which will hopefully correlate
with trigger points in potential PTSD. The GAF scale will be monitored throughout the study
Data Collection Methodology 3
and will serve as an indicator for suspected PTSD which will then impose mandatory
psychotherapy. Mandatory psychotherapy will be imposed when a patient’s GAF score falls
below a certain threshold.
Data Collection
All participants GAF scores will be assessed specified time periods of (1) prior to basic
training, (2) after basic training, and (3) upon the arrival of their first duty station; they will be
reassessed quarterly. These scores will not be disclosed to the individuals or any individual
outside the study under no circumstances. The study will be maintained in the soldier’s records
and will only be specific to this study. The studies records will not be used to discharge a soldier
under no circumstances.
Cohort 1
Cohort 1 will be the sample group that will undergo changes to that of a typical soldier.
The changes will be determined based upon their GAF scores. If at any time during these
assessments soldiers score 80-51 via GAF mandatory individual counseling will be conducted
monthly in hopes to indicate the trigger of the dropping score. This range of score will also
cause of need of psychotherapy which will be implemented via group therapy. Group therapy
will be mandatory and conducted monthly. At each monthly session a GAF assessment will be
conducted at the end of the session. If or when the GAF scale indicates a score >80 the
individual will no longer be required to attend mandatory counseling, or group therapy.
The individuals whose GAF scores remain consistent throughout the specified time
periods of (1) prior to basic training, (2) after basic training, and (3) upon the arrival of their first
duty station; they will be reassessed quarterly.
Data Collection Methodology 4
If the individuals in cohort 1 are deployed they will be assessed (via GAF score) prior to
deployment, and once a month during deployment. If at any time during these assessments
soldiers score 80-51 via GAF mandatory individual counseling will be conducted monthly to
indicate the trigger, which could potentially be a factor of PTSD. This range of score will also
cause of need of psychotherapy which will be implemented via group therapy. Group therapy
will be mandatory and conducted monthly. At each monthly session a GAF assessment will be
conducted at the end of the session. If or when the GAF scale indicates a score >80 the
individual will no longer be required to attend mandatory counseling, or group therapy.
In the event of an individual who does not show improvement during a 3-month period
and/or GAF score is <50, these individuals will have to conduct mandatory counseling every two
weeks, along with group therapy every two weeks. The individuals who do not show
improvement over a 6-month period will be required to be referred to the mental health clinic
and then will have to be cared for by a physician due to the potential of the need for
pharmacological interventions. These individuals will still be included in the study and their data
will be analyzed.
Cohort 2
This cohort being the dependent group will not have any changes and will not have any
mandatory counseling or group therapy no matter their GAF score. These individuals will be
provided with the same care that is already provided to service members which requires self-
help. These scores will be monitored throughout their military time of 4yrs.
If the individuals in cohort 2 are deployed they will be monitored monthly via GAF
scores. Again, these individuals will not be required to attend mandatory counseling or group
Data Collection Methodology 5
meetings. These individuals will be provided the same information the military already provides
individuals which mainly is self-help.
End of Study
At the end of the study there are hopes to see a correlation with the decreased numbers of
development mental health issues as it pertains to PTSD in Cohort 1 with the mandatory
interventions, then that of Cohort 2 which had no mandatory interventions. Other hopes of the
study are to find a correlation factor that may be the cause of the development of PTSD in hopes
to implement better ways to implement preventative measures.
Data Collection Methodology 6
SOURCES
Andric, S., Mihaljevic, M., Mirjanic, T., Maric, N (2017). The split version of Global Assessment
of Functioning scale – application and utility in remitted psychotic patients. European
Psychiatry., 41(S1), S185–S185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.2103
Powers, R (2019). US Military Basic Training Attrition. Retrieved from US Military Basic
Training Attrition (thebalancecareers.com)
Smith, M. (2021). What Is the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale? Retrieved from
Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale (webmd.com)
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