Epidemiological Methods and Measurements
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The primary objective of epidemiology is deliberating and explaining contrast in disease distribution and additional health consequences of concern among the people (Oakes & Kaufman, 2017). This discussion shall deliberate on the use of mixed methods and interviews as approaches for collecting epidemiological research data. The discussion focuses on “Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in the Old Order Amish” and “A systematic review and meta-analysis of hematological malignancies in residents living near petrochemical facilities” articles. Therefore, the application of epidemiological techniques and research designs throughout a calamity reaction may produce usable data.
“Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in the Old Order Amish” Article
In this article, the study design addresses the question and the study’s goal. The article uses interviews through testing and oral queries among the desired population target. It helped the participants and targeted population to cover and achieve the research objectives quickly. The interview targeted cohort research of contributors enrolled with Heredity and Phenotype Intervention heart study among the Amish community in identifying impending inherited and ecological threat influences of CVD. It was because the community was associated with extreme levels of similarity in the standard of living, socioeconomic status, and physical accomplishments (Salimi et al., 2020).
The interviews were among the Amish community. It focused on whole communal research of healthy fit persons having 20 years of age and above. Excluding pregnant women, low blood pressure during screening, and those reluctant to carefully cease prescriptions that affect research results. The selection was not biased since the target population can provide accurate data (Salimi et al., 2020).
In the interviews presented in the first article, data containing brachial artery FMD was measured and recorded in appropriate analytical tables. Also, domestic addresses covered during the interview were in geocoding with ArcGIS 9.3 software. The research variables are in consideration whereby the assessment exposure to air pollution, was conducted in different locations, identifying its impact among different age brackets. The first article used linear mixed-effect regression models and interaction terms in data analysis (Salimi et al., 2020).
Interview design is weak in a manner that the targeted population may fail to participate in the research. The implementation of the results in the first article may be accurate and quickly appreciated since the outcome implies the real situation in the field.
“A systematic review and meta-analysis of hematological malignancies in residents living near petrochemical facilities” Article
The article also specified the goals of the research. This article employed a mixed method of research where secondary data analysis and primary data analysis were combined and carried out by different researchers. It is vital since it allows the researchers to stick on guidelines that indicate the study limits and providing comprehensive data for analysis. The mixed-method is in use by researchers to carefully search through academic, medical, and science libraries and science automated databases on websites for printed research accessible earlier than November 14th, 2018 (Jephcote et al., 2020). All necessary articles with necessary data are in consideration, while the data in contrast to the study were in elimination.
In the secondary and primary methods applied in the second article, the participants include the researchers who go through various secondary sources. The population consulted is the author of various journals and articles latest being November 18th, 2018. This selection of participants since the data’s validity is vulnerable. The data is in records in the Prospero catalogue. Missing data were obtained by mining in the primary resources and recorded in the catalogue as well (Jephcote et al., 2020).
The research variables are in consideration whereby its focus on the population living near petrochemical facilities. Therefore the analytical results come out in contrast to those in the distance (Jephcote et al., 2020). This article used the I2 test in analyzing the data. The designs used in interviewing may be disadvantageous when participants tend to provide inaccurate information. In mixed method designs, the data collected is always limited to proper research.
The mixed-method that involves secondary sources may miss out on crucial and current data essential for the study. The implementation of the results in the first article may be accurate and quickly appreciated since the outcome implies the real situation in the field. The second article’s implementation of the results may be challenging, as they do not reflect the current situation.
Epidemiology methods and measurements are critically in analysis in the articles deliberated above. Interview and mixed methods of research are majorly in the discussion. Their extensive applications, data analysis, and advantages determine their strengths and vulnerability as well.
References
Jephcote, C., Brown, D., Verbeek, T., & Mah, A. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of hematological malignancies in residents living near petrochemical facilities. Environmental Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-020-00582-1
Oakes, J. M., & Kaufman, J. S. (Eds.). (2017). Methods in social epidemiology. John Wiley & Sons.
Salimi, S., Yanosky, J., Huang, D., Montressor-Lopez, J., Vogel, R., & Reed, R. et al. (2020). Long-term exposure to particulate air pollution and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in the Old Order Amish. Environmental Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-020-00593-y