American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 59, Issue 12, 2016, Pages 1112-1119

Methodological concerns related to response bias in migrant and seasonal farmworkers (Article)

Benson J. , Garrison E.* , Dropkin J. , Jenkins P.L.
  • a Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
  • b The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY, United States
  • c Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Hofstra, NY, United States
  • d Bassett Research Institute, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY, United States

Abstract

Background: The original objective was to measure the impact of kneepads on musculoskeletal pain in migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs). Secondary analyses were conducted to quantify the extent to which response bias may have skewed the study's results. Methods: Surveys were used to collect data on baseline pain and post-intervention pain, the amount of time participants spent wearing kneepads, and their overall ratings of the intervention. Results: Participants did not experience significantly less pain with kneepads, and wore them for considerably less than the prescribed amount of time. However, subjects rated them very favorably. Given the strong suspicion of response bias, no firm conclusions could be drawn regarding the intervention. Conclusions: Unique survey methodologies must be used with MSFWs, who tend to have low research literacy and are particularly susceptible to response bias. Objective study outcomes are particularly favorable in this population in order to minimize dependence on self-reported measures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:1112–1119, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author Keywords

Vulnerable populations Migrant and seasonal farmworkers self-report questionnaires acquiescence response bias social desirability bias

Index Keywords

agricultural worker occupational disease human arthralgia statistics and numerical data Bias statistical bias Agriculture Occupational Diseases Seasons Farmers season Surveys and Questionnaires Humans psychology New York Treatment Outcome male Protective Clothing female questionnaire standards adult migration utilization knee Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84980343870&doi=10.1002%2fajim.22646&partnerID=40&md5=477c3ed77f4ee2523f8e3afff5530c65
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22646
ISSN: 02713586
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English