Data Collection

Venue
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), School of Health Sciences (SHS), Block H and J, Level 1

Target audience
50 NYP students (age group of 20-41 years old) randomly selected from SHS Block H and J, Level 1.

Measuring instruments used
 





Height: A standard measuring tape of 1.5m with 0.1cm intervals was used. The start point was 1.0m vertically away from ground floor and extended vertically upwards.







Arm span: A standard metal measuring tape of 7.5m with 0.1cm intervals was used.









To calculate the mean values of the collected arm span & height measurement, a SHARP EL-531VH scientific calculator was used.







Complete set-up of the measuring station
 


Trial run








Before the actual collection of our data, a trial run was conducted among ourselves for us to familiarise with and standardise the measuring procedures so as to better ensure consistency of our results.





Actual data collection


The participants of our study were informed of the purpose of our study, our study procedures, duration required to collect the data and were assured that data collected would be kept strictly confidential. The participants' data was collected and each participant was assigned a number each for recording purposes. Data was collected on 27 June 2011, from 3.30pm-6pm.


The participants had to take 2 readings each for both their height and arm span, so that we could calculate the average reading and obtain a more accurate result. Also, to ensure that the data collected would be reliable and internal validity maintained at all times,

For height measurement, we ensured that:

 
  • Subjects are always bare-footed with heels and knees kept close together, standing upright and looking ahead of them
  • Buttocks and posterior aspect of their heel are in contact with the wall that the measuring tape was pasted to

For arm span, we ensured that:

  • Subject’s back is always upright, arms are stretched wide apart and maintained parallel to the ground. Arms should not be too much to the front or back during measurement as well.

An example of our data collection form