Culture as a variable in health research

Perspectives and caveats

Bibliographic Data

ID22945474
AuthorsHana Al‐Bannay (Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, corresponding author), H Al-Bannay, Tal Jarus (0000-0003-4124-7782, University of British Columbia), Lyn Jongbloed (University of British Columbia), Maya Yazigi (Simon Fraser University), Elizabeth Dean (0000-0003-2951-0760, University of British Columbia)
Year2014
Volume29
Issue3
Pages549-557
Publication date2014-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/dat002
PMID23424161
OpenAlexW2097827778
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited38

To augment the rigor of health promotion research, this perspective article describes how cultural factors impact the outcomes of health promotion studies either intentionally or unintentionally. It proposes ways in which these factors can be addressed or controlled in designing studies and interpreting their results. We describe how variation within and across cultures can be considered within a study, e.g. the conceptualization of research questions or hypotheses, and the methodology including sampling, surveys and interviews. We provide multiple examples of how culture influences the interpretation of study findings. Inadequately accounting or controlling for cultural variations in health promotion studies, whether they are planned or unplanned, can lead to incomplete research questions, incomplete data gathering, spurious results and limited generalizability of the findings. In health promotion research, factors related to culture and cultural variations need to be considered, acknowledged or controlled irrespective of the purpose of the study, to maximize the reliability, validity and generalizability of study findings. These issues are particularly relevant in contemporary health promotion research focusing on global lifestyle-related conditions where cultural factors have a pivotal role and warrant being understood.

Business · Conceptualization · Data collection · Developmental psychology · Generalizability theory · Health promotion · Political science · Promotion (chess) · Public health · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · Warrant · Applied Psychology · Community Health and Development · Computer Science · Health Policy Implementation Science · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · School Health and Nursing Education · Social Psychology

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