nr503 Week 3: Discussion- Epidemiological Methods and Measurements
nr503 Week 3: Discussion. Utilizing the list below, choose two research methods. Next, find two articles, one on each of the chosen methods, from the Chamberlain College library, or you may use one that is provided within the course and one you find from the library. The articles should be related to population health and infectious disease, chronic health, occupational health, global health, genomics, or environmental health:
- Randomized Control Trial
- Cohort Study
- Case-Control Study
- Cross-Sectional
Read each article and answer the following questions for each article:
- Does the study design specify a question, goal, of the study?
- Explain the methodology (Randomized Control Trial, Cohort Study, Case-Control Study).
- Describe the participant information, include recruitment. Is selection bias present?
- How is data collected?
- Are the variables identified? If yes, discuss. If no, how does this impact your interpretation of the study?
- How was the data analyzed, what statistics are provided? What are potential errors related to the study design?
- What are the weaknesses of the type of study design/method?
- Discuss the outcomes and the implications for implementation.
Post your analysis of the research studies to the DB. Your analysis should have in-text citations and utilize a scholarly voice with APA formatting. You may choose to write a Word doc and upload your doc to the discussion board for this week.nr503 Week 3: Discussion
Respond to a total of two posts; either two (2) peer posts or a peer and faculty post, with a minimum of one paragraph of 4-5 sentences for each of their articles. Your reply post should integrate in-text citation(s) and be formatted with APA and a scholarly voice.
nr503 Week 3: Discussion Answer
In the realm of epidemiological methods, the focus here is on two prominent approaches: randomized control trials (RCTs) and cohort studies. The selected article for the discussion is “Randomized controlled trial of text message reminders for increasing influenza vaccination” by Regan, Bloomfield, Peters, and Effler (2017). This study delves into the effectiveness of text message reminders in enhancing influenza vaccination uptake, employing the rigorous methodology of randomized control trials.
Randomized control trials involve the random allocation of individuals into groups, where they receive either the standard treatment or a new intervention under investigation. Regan et al. (2017) adopted this methodology to meticulously assess the impact of text message reminders on influenza vaccination rates.nr503 Week 3: Discussion
The study population, consisting of 12,354 participants with mobile phones, was selected from records of various organizations practicing influenza vaccination. Half of these participants were randomly assigned SMS and vaccination reminders, while the other half received no text messages.nr503 Week 3: Discussion
The utilization of randomization in this study is crucial, as it helps mitigate potential biases and ensures that any observed effects can be attributed to the intervention rather than pre-existing differences between groups. This methodological precision is fundamental in establishing a causal relationship between the intervention (text message reminders) and the outcome (increased influenza vaccination rates).
The study’s findings demonstrated the effectiveness of text message reminders in promoting influenza vaccination, thus contributing valuable insights to public health strategies. However, it is essential to recognize that RCTs, while robust, may have limitations such as practical constraints and ethical considerations (Eldridge et al., 2016). Despite these challenges, the Regan et al. (2017) study serves as a noteworthy example of the utility and rigor of RCTs in epidemiological research.
On the other hand, cohort studies, another influential epidemiological method, track a group of individuals over time to observe outcomes based on exposure to certain factors. While RCTs focus on interventions, cohort studies are observational and suitable for investigating long-term effects. An illustrative example is the Nurses’ Health Study, a landmark cohort study that has provided crucial insights into various health-related issues (Colditz et al., 2012).
In conclusion, the chosen article employing randomized control trials sheds light on the impact of text message reminders on influenza vaccination rates. This rigorous methodology ensures a robust examination of causality between the intervention and the observed outcomes. As we navigate the diverse landscape of epidemiological methods, both RCTs and cohort studies play pivotal roles, offering complementary insights that contribute to the foundation of evidence-based public health practices.
