Psychology homework help

150 to 200 words per question 2 questions in yellow As we write our parts analysis of how you developed your instrument.in the paper we can use this draft below to help us.

1) Describe the methods you used for item selection.

2) Discuss whether or not cut-off scores would be established.

Draft

Part One: Construct Development and Scale Creation

Construct to Measure

Elderly Nutrition in regards to the onset of Depression

Operational Definition

The operational definition encompasses what the study and survey relate to, and in this case it involves the nutritional diet or intake of an elderly person and the onset of depression.

The independent variable in the study is the elder person’s nutritional intake, and depression is the dependent variable. The variables are as such because one’s depression is reliant on and the nutritional intake or diet.

The study in itself is looking into the concept of good and poor nutrition and how it may or may not affect the onset of depression in the elderly population. The results will show just how nutrition can affect an elder person’s diagnosis of depression. If they show good nutrition, the sample population of elderly people will be less likely to have or show signs of a depression; and if the sample population of elderly people has poor nutrition then will more likely to display signs of having the onset of depression if the hypothesis is proven.

The first peer-reviewed research study that our team is implementing addresses and “evaluates possible factors associated with depression in the elderly” (Mamplekou, Bountziouka, Psaltopoulou, Zeimbekis, Tsakoundakis, Papaerakleous, & Panagiotakos, 2010, p. 449). The second peer-reviewed research study that our team is implementing encompasses and “assess the nutritional aspects of physical health-related quality of life among elderly people” (Mathews, & Jacob, 2013, p. 382). The final peer-reviewed research study that our team is including in our development of our study involves “the association between nutrition and cognitive impairment, and nutrition and depression” (Woo, Lynn, Lau, Leung, Lau, Wong, & Kwok, 2006, p. 1036).

Five Items implemented to Sample the Domain

Ethnicity : Gender : Nutritional aspects : Physical well-being : Mental well-being

Method of Scaling Appropriate for the Domain

25 question Ordinal Self-Report, which consists of a nutritional habits and depression symptoms survey.

Justification for the Scaling Method Chosen

The ordinal scaling method option allows for a more well rounded field of questions in regards to discovering the participants information relating to their eating habits, nutritional aspects, gender, ethnicity, possible depression symptoms, life style, and age.

Format Items into an Instrument to Query Respondents

Nutritional and Depression Self-Report Survey

1) I take daily vitamins and minerals?

2) I drink or eat daily meal supplements, such as protein shakes?

3) I take any type of herbal supplement?

4) The majority of the time I make unhealthy food choices?

5) I have troubles sleeping?

6) I have developed a significant disinterest or pleasure in activities or social gatherings?

7) I have noticed or experienced any changes in my weight?

8) I experience sleep issues, such insomnia or too much sleep?

9) I have noticed or experienced a consistent fatigue or loss of energy?

10) I have experienced changes in my ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions?

11) I frequently have thoughts of death with or without a plan of action?

12) I have experienced uncontrollable emotions, such as crying for no known reason?

13) I have noticed a significant change in my appetite?

14) I experience feelings of hopelessness?

15) I have feelings of emptiness?

16) I am easily bored?

17) I consider myself physically healthy?

18) I consider myself mentally stable and emotionally balanced?

19) I have medical conditions that relate to my food choices and habits?

20) Food an important part of my culture?

21) I have a close and supportive group of friends and family?

22) I exercise regularly?

23) I eat a well-balanced diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and whole grains?

24) I drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily?

25) The majority of the time I make healthy food choices?

The answers for the above survey then include an assigned number or 1 – 6 and the correlating response to each assigned number. See below.

1. Strongly agree

2. Somewhat (or partially) agree

3. Agree

4. Disagree

5. Somewhat (or partially) disagree

6. Strongly disagree

Then follow up at the end of the survey with four categorizing questions, which would be:

1. What is your current age?

2. Are you male or female?

3. What is your cultural or ethnic background?

4. Have you ever been diagnosed with any type of depression or mood disorder?

Justification for Either an Interview or Self-Report Instrument

This could be developed as a self-report tool, interview, or a combination of both, which would allow for more detailed and in-depth data on the participants. The justification for implementing a self-report instrument would it is more cost effective and it would help create a larger scale research study sample population. The justification for implementing an interview style over the self-report would be because the results may be more precise as the participants and further explain their answer if prompted by the interviewer. It is also conceivable that the elderly participants may feel more at ease talking to a person rather than filling out a survey. There is a separate risk factor that may arise within each method, thus implementing a combination of both a more valid and reliable approach. The risk factor within the self-report survey may be the participants are unsure of the answer they should chose is the most correct. The risk factor that is possible in the implementation of an interview approach is they may feel inclined to lie because they feel uncomfortable or ashamed of the truth. If the chosen method used is a combination of both methods it may limit the risk factors involved in the two separate methods, thus developing a more viable, valid and reliable study.