This module discussed the importance of selecting a suitable study design and me

Question

This module discussed the importance of selecting a suitable study design and methods for data analysis based on a research question. For each of the following research questions. state the type of study described by each of the following paragraphs. Also explain your reasoning for why you chose the study type.

a.The Tumor Registry in a certain US state was used to identify all primary cases of bladder cancer in the state during a given period. These cases were compared to a sample of non-cases from the same state that have been matched on age and time of diagnosis. All subjects or their surviving relatives in both groups were interviewed to collect information on saccharin consumption and other known risk factors for bladder cancer.

b. In the Hanford study of nuclear power workers (1977), 3500 certified deaths occurred among plant workers between 1944 and 1972. Among these deaths, a significantly greater proportion of workers exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation than unexposed workers had died of RES (reticuloendothelial system) cancers.

Explanation / Answer

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) (1) I reckon that the first type of research is “Stratified Sampling.” The strata of age and genetics (surviving relatives) are the levels of consideration. The stratum would form a section or sub-group. This would help categorise symptoms and other important factors.

Data analysis would generally be primary qualitative analysis in a case like this. This is essential because the researchers would have to consider several nuances of the patients and record the data accordingly.

(2) Multistage sampling. This is because the merits of systematic sampling and stratified sampling would need to be considered. Systematic sampling would be based on the time frame where the workers were most affected. Stratified sampling would be based on people who have been faced with certain environmental factors that caused them to be exposed to radiation.

A thoroughly quantitative analysis of medical reports by turning them into empirical values. This is because medical factors and environmental factors, which are two separate aspects would have to be analysed on the same plane in order to make comparisons. A correlation coefficient should suffice.

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