BIOPHYSIOLOGIC MEASURES

- focuses on the physiological and physical variables that require specialized technical instruments and
equipment for various measurements.
- The biophysiologicl instruments are used to for creating independent variables e.g. equipment for
oxygen administration, administering tube feeding etc. and dependent variables, e.g. use of
thermometer scale etc.
- The bio physiologic measures is a primary data collection from a subject by a researcher or trained
data collector, the data collected are specifically for the purpose of research.

Types
- In Vivo Bio physiological measure are those performed directly within or on living organisms, such
as blood pressure, body temperature and vital capacity measurement. In vivo instruments are available
to measure all bodily functions and technologic advancements continue to improve the ability to
measure the bio physiologic phenomena more accurately and conveniently.
-ex: Li and Colleagues (2008) studied hypertension control and prediction of medication
adherence in older Chinese immigrants living in the United States. The key measure was blood
pressure.

-In Vitro Bio physiological measure data are gathered from participants by extracting bio physiologic
material from them and subjecting it to analysis by specialized laboratory technicians. It includes
chemical measure e.g. measure od hormone, sugar, blood etc. microbiologic measures e.g. bacterial
counts and cytological or histologic measures e.g. tissue biospecs.
-Example of a study: Ward and colleagues (2008) examined children nocturnal sleep and nap
behaviors in relation to salivary cortisol levels sampled midmorning and afternoon after naps in child
care centers

Evaluation of Biophysiologic measures

Advantages
- Biopsysiologic measures are relatively accurate and precise,
- Biophysiologic measures are objective
- Biophysiologic measures provides valid measures of the targeted variable
- There is minimal cost in the collection of biophysiologic data because equipments are available in
hospitals
Disadvantages
- measuring tool may affect the variable, there is a need to ensure that the instrument is functioning
well for the results to be valid and reliable.
- There is are risks of damaging the respondent’s body which is why the measures must be
administered by experts.

Critiquing Biophysiologic measures

- To assess the use of biophysiologic measures there are general questions that must be answered:
1. Does the research question lend itself to a biophysiological approach? Would an alternative
method have been theoretically more appropriate?
2. Was the proper instrument used to obtain the biophysiologic measures? Would an alternative
instrument or method have been more appropriate?
3. Does the researcher appear to have the skills necessary for proper interpretation of
biophysiological measures?