scholarly journals Refining the content and design of an alcohol reduction app, Drink Less, to improve its usability and effectiveness: a mixed methods approach

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Claire Garnett ◽  
Olga Perski ◽  
Susan Michie ◽  
Robert West ◽  
Matt Field ◽  
...  

Background: Digital interventions have the potential to reduce alcohol consumption, although evidence on the effectiveness of apps is lacking. Drink Less is a popular, evidence-informed app with good usability, putting it in a strong position to be improved upon prior to conducting a confirmatory evaluation. This paper describes the process of refining Drink Less to improve its usability and likely effectiveness. Methods: The refinement consisted of three phases and involved qualitative and quantitative (mixed) methods: i) identifying changes to app content, based on findings from an initial evaluation of Drink Less, an updated review of digital alcohol interventions and a content analysis of user feedback; ii) designing new app modules with public input and a consultation with app developers and researchers; and iii) improving the app’s usability through user testing. Results: As a result of the updated review of digital alcohol interventions and user feedback analysis in Phase 1, three new modules: ‘Behaviour Substitution’, ‘Information about Antecedents’ and ‘Insights’, were added to the app. One existing module – ‘Identity Change’ – was removed based on the initial evaluation of Drink Less. Phases 2 and 3 resulted in changes to existing features, such as improving the navigational structure and onboarding process, and clarifying how to edit drinks and goals. Conclusions: A mixed methods approach was used to refine the content and design of Drink Less, providing insights into how to improve its usability and likely effectiveness. Drink Less is now ready for a confirmatory evaluation.

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Claire Garnett ◽  
Olga Perski ◽  
Susan Michie ◽  
Robert West ◽  
Matt Field ◽  
...  

Background: Digital interventions have the potential to reduce alcohol consumption, although evidence on the effectiveness of apps is lacking. Drink Less is a popular, evidence-informed app with good usability, putting it in a strong position to be improved upon prior to conducting a confirmatory evaluation. This paper describes the process of refining Drink Less to improve its usability and likely effectiveness. Methods: The refinement consisted of three phases and involved qualitative and quantitative (mixed) methods: i) identifying changes to app content, based on findings from an initial evaluation of Drink Less, an updated review of digital alcohol interventions and a content analysis of user feedback; ii) designing new app modules with public input and a consultation with app developers and researchers; and iii) improving the app’s usability through user testing. Results: As a result of the updated review of digital alcohol interventions and user feedback analysis in Phase 1, three new modules: ‘Behaviour Substitution’, ‘Information about Antecedents’ and ‘Insights’, were added to the app. One existing module – ‘Identity Change’ – was removed based on the initial evaluation of Drink Less. Phases 2 and 3 resulted in changes to existing features, such as improving the navigational structure and onboarding process, and clarifying how to edit drinks and goals. Conclusions: A mixed methods approach was used to refine the content and design of Drink Less, providing insights into how to improve its usability and likely effectiveness. Drink Less is now ready for a confirmatory evaluation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Chee Choy ◽  
Joanne Sau-Ching Yim ◽  
Poh Leong Tan

Purpose This paper aims to examine students’ perceptions of quality learning using a mixed-methods approach in a Malaysian university, with an aim to fill existing knowledge gaps in the literature on relationships among relevant quality variables. The study also assesses the extent to which detailed results from a few participants can be generalised to a larger sample from the population. Design/methodology/approach A sequential, mixed-methods approach was used to obtain a more meaningful and balanced analysis of the data. In total, 12 students were purposively selected and interviewed in Phase 1, to gain insights into their perceptions of quality learning at a selected university. The results of the qualitative analysis were used to develop hypotheses for a quantitative survey of 1,490 students in Phase 2. The samples consisted of students enrolled in full-time bachelor’s degree programmes. The survey data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to confirm a series of hypotheses about pathways of influence of key quality constructs. Findings The results of the study showed strong positive relationships between student perceptions of learning outcomes, curriculum, instructional delivery and support, learning environment and quality learning. The overall findings suggest that the influences of these quality variables on the perceived quality of learning experiences of students may be complex. Practical implications All Malaysian higher education providers are currently concerned with providing high-quality education that caters to students’ needs. The results generate useful evidence for governors, administrators and other stakeholders regarding the students’ perceptions of quality learning. The results provide insights for supporting diverse students served by these providers. Originality/value The sequential, mixed-methods research design of the study contributed a rich contextual description of students’ perceptions of quality learning. It also fills the knowledge gap mentioned.


2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adena T. Rottenstein ◽  
Ryan J. Dougherty ◽  
Alexis Strouse ◽  
Lily Hashemi ◽  
Hilary Baruch

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-91
Author(s):  
Mellie Torres ◽  
Alejandro E. Carrión ◽  
Roberto Martínez

Recent studies have focused on challenging deficit narratives and discourses perpetuating the criminalization of Latino men and boys. But even with this emerging literature, mainstream counter-narratives of young Latino boys and their attitudes towards manhood and masculinity stand in stark contrast to the dangerous and animalistic portrayals of Latino boys and men in the media and society. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the authors draw on the notion of counter-storytelling to explore how Latino boys try to reframe masculinity, manhood, and what they label as ‘responsible manhood.’ Counter-storytelling and narratives provide a platform from which to challenge the discourse, narratives, and imaginaries guiding the conceptualization of machismo. In their counter-narratives, Latino boys critiqued how they are raced, gendered, and Othered in derogatory ways.


Screen Bodies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-55
Author(s):  
Samantha Eddy

The realm of horror provides a creative space in which the breakdown of social order can either expose power relations or further cement them by having them persist after the collapse. Carol Clover proposed that the 1970s slasher film genre—known for its sex and gore fanfare—provided feminist identification through its “final girl” indie invention. Over three decades later, with the genre now commercialized, this research exposes the reality of sexual and horrific imagery within the Hollywood mainstay. Using a mixed-methods approach, I develop four categories of depiction across cisgender representation in these films: violent, sexual, sexually violent, and postmortem. I explore the ways in which a white, heterosexist imagination has appropriated this once productive genre through the violent treatment of bodies. This exposes the means by which hegemonic, oppressive structures assimilate and sanitize counter-media. This article provides an important discussion on how counterculture is transformed in capital systems and then used to uphold the very structures it seeks to confront. The result of such assimilation is the violent treatment and stereotyping of marginalized identities in which creative efforts now pursue new means of brutalization and dehumanization.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document