On 2016 Jan 11, BSH Cancer Screening, Help-Seeking and Prevention Journal Club commented:

Relevant to our current research goals, the HBRC journal club was interested to review this paper with particular interest in adding to our understanding of the role of descriptive norms in cancer risk-reducing behaviours. The paper demonstrates a strong rationale for investigating the role of descriptive norms in established risk-reducing behaviours, and in uncertain and relatively unknown behaviours. Furthermore, it offers an additional explanation to the reasons why descriptive norm literature is usually inconsistent, or every so often insignificant for health-behaviour change.

The study employed a cross-sectional design that included an opportunistic sample aged 18 to 95, and reported the use of a theoretical framework, known as the Integrative Model of Behavioural Prediction, which strengthened the methodology of the paper. Although the authors acknowledged their decision for defining uncertainty as a limitation, they attributed the uncertainty of risk-reducing behaviours using scientific knowledge rather than public perceptions of the uncertainty of the behaviours. However, we felt that the study might have benefited from the inclusion of other elements such as beliefs about causes of cancer, scientific literacy, or specifically knowledge, and controlling for age to evaluate further associations with descriptive norms and scientific uncertainty.

The journal club also discussed the possibility of controlling for individuals’ current health behaviours as another factor that could influence descriptive norms. We also deliberated on whether the established risk-reducing behaviours are also linked to other chronic illnesses, therefore; there may be differences in motivations to take up those behaviours.

Overall, the HBRC journal club enjoyed reading this article and feel that the paper is an important example of using integrated theoretical models which could improve the way we implement theoretically grounded research.

Conflicts of interest. We report no conflict of interests and note that the comments produced by the group are collective and not the opinion of any one individual.

On 2016 Jan 11, BSH Cancer Screening, Help-Seeking and Prevention Journal Club commented:

Relevant to our current research goals, the HBRC journal club was interested to review this paper with particular interest in adding to our understanding of the role of descriptive norms in cancer risk-reducing behaviours. The paper demonstrates a strong rationale for investigating the role of descriptive norms in established risk-reducing behaviours, and in uncertain and relatively unknown behaviours. Furthermore, it offers an additional explanation to the reasons why descriptive norm literature is usually inconsistent, or every so often insignificant for health-behaviour change.

The study employed a cross-sectional design that included an opportunistic sample aged 18 to 95, and reported the use of a theoretical framework, known as the Integrative Model of Behavioural Prediction, which strengthened the methodology of the paper. Although the authors acknowledged their decision for defining uncertainty as a limitation, they attributed the uncertainty of risk-reducing behaviours using scientific knowledge rather than public perceptions of the uncertainty of the behaviours. However, we felt that the study might have benefited from the inclusion of other elements such as beliefs about causes of cancer, scientific literacy, or specifically knowledge, and controlling for age to evaluate further associations with descriptive norms and scientific uncertainty.

The journal club also discussed the possibility of controlling for individuals’ current health behaviours as another factor that could influence descriptive norms. We also deliberated on whether the established risk-reducing behaviours are also linked to other chronic illnesses, therefore; there may be differences in motivations to take up those behaviours.

Overall, the HBRC journal club enjoyed reading this article and feel that the paper is an important example of using integrated theoretical models which could improve the way we implement theoretically grounded research.

Conflicts of interest. We report no conflict of interests and note that the comments produced by the group are collective and not the opinion of any one individual.