Strengths/Limitations Flashcards
What are the limitations of activity logs/diaries?
Heavy participant burden - may forget to do it
Lots of data analysis
Can influence behaviour
What are sources of error and practical considerations in activity logs/diaries?
Social desirability bias
Recall error
Difficulty interpreting the question
May need a proxy
Printing and posting
What are the strengths of questionnaires?
Cheap Easy Low participant burden Suitable for large samples Non reactive Flexible and measures all
What are the limitations of questionnaires?
Need validating
What are the sources of error and some practical considerations of questionnaires?
Social desirability bias
Recall error
Interpretation error
May need a proxy - special care with kids and oldies
What are the strengths of pedometers?
Cheap
Low burden
Suitable for large samples
What are the limitations of pedometers?
Tampered with
Very limited information
What are some sources of error with pedometers?
Can’t measure hills or carrying anything
What are the strengths of heart rate monitors?
Low burden
Straightforward data
Spot non-wear
Good at high intensity
What are the limitations of HR monitors?
Poor at low intensity
Other factors affect HR (error)
Calibration individually
Not for kids
What are the strengths of accelerometers?
Low burden
Won’t induce change
Many age groups
What are the limitations of accelerometers?
Don’t measure all activities accurately
Data analysis presents challenges
Limit sample by inclusion criteria
Worse at high intensity but still decent
What are practical considerations/sources of error in accelerometers?
Epochs
Cut points
Wear/non wear
Number of days
What are the four stages of the public health model?
ID and quantify association between PA and health
Identify correlates and determinants
Develop interventions
Pleasure interventions
What are the advantages of accurate measures?
Better understand relationship with health
Better understand correlates/determinants
Better understand trend/prevalence
Better assessment of effectiveness
Reduced sample size needed
Better assessment of changes
