What is the impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on reducing the severity
Final Part 2 (100 points)
Your task is to design a study that fits the rigour of the scientific method. Answer the following
Questions based on the research question provided:
Research question: What is the impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on reducing the severity
Of the common cold?
Null Hypothesis: (5 points) the supplementation was given regularly is found to have > 0.2g/day. The reduction of the duration of vitamin C is by approximately 8%. Therefore the capability of vitamin C to be useful in the cold period is by 8%, in adults is 14%. However, in children, about 1 to 2g/day is given. However, through Fisher’s method, the null hypothesis of equal effectiveness of ascorbic acid and placebo will reject at the level of P less than 0.001 (Maimon, 2012).
Alternative hypothesis: (5 points) the alternative hypothesis can state that Vitamin C can protect the immune system hence reducing the severity of given allergies. The therapeutic effects of vitamin C have also been explored by Linus Pauling about Vitamin C can be consumed either with dietary supplements offered in the diet (Maimon, 2012). Therefore the AA deficiency results in the reduction of hydroxylation of the proline and lysine in the collagen proteins
Identify your research variables, i.e. independent variable, dependent variable, extraneous
variables. (10 points)
the research variables that include the independent variable was used to approximate, twenty-nine individuals in several comparisons with a total of 11,066 total of individuals that were to participate. The study was documented and researched to give the meta-analysis in regards to the relative risk (RR). The research indicated the development of cold although there was presence of prophylaxis. The figures mentioned include, a pooled RR of about 0.97%(96% CI 0.98 to 1.23). about 650 marathon runners were then divided into groups of eight in which other athletes were included such as, soldiers who involved themselves on sub-arctic exercise, skiers, in total they all gave a pooled RR of 0.60(96% CL 0.45 to 0.65). (Maimon, 2012). A total of fifty comparisons got themselves involves with 9,876, episodes that involved a respiratory checkup, contributing to a meta-analysis on the research on common cold as prophylaxis duration. The reduction of the common cold was indicated through consistent benefits. All these benefits were undertaken through the representation through a sharp decrease in adults was about 10% (98% CL 4% to 15%). The children participation was about (96% CL 7% to 36%).
The research variables that indicate the defendant variables are reported through vitamin C failure from the supplementation. The supplementations given have been able to reduce the incidences that bring about cold in a population consisting of healthy people. The routine that indicates mega-dose prophylaxis have not been justified rationally in matters that are given about the health of a community. However, through periods presented in brief, evidences to show exposed people is warranted. This is especially seen in people who are exposed, who have undergone severe exercises, especially in environments that are cold. Vitamin C generally plays a role as a vital defence mechanism that protects the respiratory system in the human body. Vitamin C has had many trials in which at the introduction of the symptoms of severe cold Vitamin C were introduced. Up to 4 grams a day of vitamin C were given to individuals who showed signs of vitamin c; therefore, it was to act as a therapy. After the main trial, then 8 grams proved to be an equivocal of therapeutic dosage as soon as the symptoms of cold were evident. (Maimon, 2012).
How will you measure these variables?
The circumstances and results of three small experimental prophylaxis trials were summarized and were not included in the meta-analysis on a separate table with the community basis trials. With the community trials, three outcomes were selected to compare vitamin C with placebo recipients, this resulted in five-meta-analyses, and the number in parenthesis refers to the respective comparison figure in the analyses. (Comparison 1) and (comparison 2) “Duration”-mean days of cold symptoms per illness episode (episodes occurring in trials of prophylaxis and therapy were analyzed separately) and (comparison 3 and comparison 4) “severity mean severity score for the illness episode (also applied to both prophylaxis and therapy trials). The severity index was a continuous variable measured in two ways in different tests) the number of days that the patient was absent from work or school or confined to bed. Through the symptoms of severity score derived from the patient through the keeping of record, therefore through a meta-analysis that would be conducted using the RevMan software for each of these five outcomes (Maimon, 2012).
State the scale of measurement for each variable listed above.
To examine the possible effects of vitamin C on the common cold a ubiquitous is carried out; therefore, the central question for the review will be explaining the need of vitamin C in the doses of 200 mg daily or even more. However, with an estimation of the median dietary intake of vitamin C for adults will be estimated as 102 mg/day and 7 mg/day in countries such as the United States and Canada, respectively. The tolerable upper intake (UL) for adults is set to be 2 g/day; the adverse effects upon which the UL is based are osmotic diarrhoea and gastrointestinal disturbances (Maimon, 2012).
What research design would you use to answer this research question? Be sure to state why
You would use this research design as opposed to others. (10 points)
There are several analysis designs, one of which it is factorial analysis to determine the dimensionality of the instrument. Factor analysis is used to reduce and summarize the data being analyzed, eliminating through dependencies or independence from the information is also used to identify factors that are to explain the correlations between the variables. Therefore being that in this type of analysis, all the variables are equal. However, independent variables are less as compared to dependent variables. The required information is necessary to calculate the set of latent dimensions called factors in which these relationships are explained. Therefore, factor analysis is a data reduction technique, with which the hypothesis put forward the different tests (Maimon, 2012).
What statistics would you use to answer this question? Be sure that the statistics you choose
Match the research design you chose. Provide as to why you chose these
Statistical procedures. (10 points)
With the unpaired data, especially if they are no possibility of values in one data that is set to be related to or being influenced by the values in the other data sets. Different tests are required for quantitative or numerical data and categorical data. Therefore for the binary data, it is vital to decide if they are to follow the parameters of the standard distribution curve (Gaussian curve) in which these parametric tests are applied. If the data distribution is not healthy, then the delivery will not take place. Therefore it is safe to use the non-parametric criteria. Through the tests that indicate the comparison tests through the analysis of a statistical procedure (ANOVA) or a test termed as Kruskal-wallis were suggested as the first tets to measure the analytical methods. Through a statistically significant (p-value) meaning (p<0.05) is to test through a hoc test. This test is used to determine the difference between two data sets. (Maimon, 2012).
What sampling technique would you use to select participants and why?
The definition of a sample is a “finite part or rather a subset” all this is about participants that are indicated and selected to perform the targeted research. The population that is selected can correspond to given subjects. The sampling technique used is systematic sampling. Systematic sampling is explicitly used when the population of the selected participants indicates a logically homogenous. Through systematic sampling, the arranged sample size is given in a uniform manner showing the elements that provide the participant’s population at regular intervals (Maimon, 2012). Sampling technique has several pros, and the major one is that it is a simple technique to use. The data collected through sampling technique is also sampled evenly (Kirsch, 2012). Clustered selection of subjects also exists in sampling technique.
What would you do to ensure reliability in your study?
The reliability of the study is through validity enhancement and findings trustworthiness in the research studies. Measurement in the case study should be done consistently through the interpretation of proposed procedures. Evidence should also be well evaluated to avoid cases of collection of wrong data that would interfere with the research to be carried out (Kirsch, 2012). Triangulations also should take place to ensure the credibility of the research and the data collected through the sampling method. Triangulations will also allow comfortability and proper Tran’s ability in the case study data collection. Several parallel studies can be carried out to reduce the generalizing of the research given.
What would you ensure validity in your study?
To ensure a confounding validity in the case study, the independent variables must be changed. Therefore, false conclusions through an attempt to give failed variables that are slightly confounded, then there will be no relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variables. In the given case study, the theoretical research, people with symptoms of common cold and others with symptoms of fever have no direct relationship whatsoever. Therefore these two groups of people cannot be researched together to find out the solutions. The study will not be valid. Consequently, the researchers to study the two illnesses have to identify a standard potential to be controlled throughout the confounding variables. The study will also allow both the dependent and the independent variables to be measured accurately to get results that are accurate (Kirsch, 2012).
What would you need to do from the ethical standpoint to ensure you follow proper ethical? Procedures? (10 points)
- Intellectual discussion of the research publication.
Disagreements about certain research or a case study will always be there, but with the right strategies, then the researcher can be able to avoid unnecessary arguments. Among the disagreements that can be present is in which order the issues in the case study or the research should follow each other. Publication systems and ways to publish the research should also be discussed to avoid future disagreements. The publications agreements are done through, APA’S Ethics Code. The system offers guidance on how to credit publications on a research or a case study. Therefore students and researches are encouraged to put in all their knowledge on certain research in writing; this will allow them to carry out future evaluations through research progress contributions.
- Multiple roles consciousness.
Through the APA’s Code of Ethics have further explained that individuals should avoid unreasonable relationships that could impair the performance of the professionals carrying out the research and case studies (Lester, 2012). Multiple relationships should be discouraged especially between students and researchers; one way that may lead to a lot of ineffectiveness is such relationships. Students and researchers should develop a relationship that is beneficial in the investigation of various case studies and research to be carried out.
- The consent roles should be strictly followed.
Full consent roles mean that the participants in the research have had to be given all the information about what they are going to be engaged in, the outcomes, procedures, and so on. The participants should also perform this research willingly; it is against the laws to forcefully indulge an individual in research without giving them the necessary information. An explanation by the federal standards states that a participant should be fully aware of what he or she is to face during the research and the individual should have a clear mind to comprehend the research to be carried on the individual (Lester, 2012).
The Ethics Code given through the APA requires a psychologist who is involved in the conduction of the research should be informed about the volunteers:
- The research purpose and the duration expected in the given procedures
- The rights of the volunteer should be presented to the individual, and if the volunteer decides to withdraw from the research, then the psychologist should allow the volunteer.
- The psychologist should clearly explain to the volunteer the risks the individual might face, any discomforts that might be present or any effects that may cause adverse change.
- If there any benefits from the research the psychologist should clearly state them
- Participation insensitivity
- If the volunteer asks any question, then the psychologist should be able to answer the questions in all honesty.
- Confidentiality should be maintained.
Significant information to note from the psychologist’s work is the individual rights to uphold confidentiality and privacy at all times. However, psychologists find it hard to talk about certain topics that require the volunteer to give out information that is indeed necessary before the participation of the volunteer. The data from the volunteer, however sensitive, it may be required for an interview that is detailed but may cause distress to the volunteer (Lester, 2012).
- Through resources from ethics.
To avoid unresolved ethical dilemmas, researchers should be entitled to moral obligations through investigating, learning and understanding the resources provided to them before carrying out research or a case study (Lester, 2012). It is essential for these researchers to keep on reminding themselves about the ethical obligations: some of the documents stating ethical commitments include:
- The report from Belmont. This document was released by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical Research in the year 1979. This document has clearly stated a framework on ethical obligations that ensure that all volunteers are under an essential human participant protection legislation.
- Through the APA’s Ethics Code, the general principles and specific research activities have been started, and psychologists should understand the guidelines before carrying out any research or case study.
References
Lester, J. D., & Lester, J. D. (2012). Writing research papers: A complete guide. Pearson.
Kirsch, G. E. (2012). Writing studies research in practice: Methods and methodologies. SIU Press.
Maimon, E. P., Peritz, J., & Yancey, K. (2012). A Writer’s Resource: A Handbook for Writing and Research (Spiral). McGraw-Hill.
Proctor, E. K., Powell, B. J., Baumann, A. A., Hamilton, A. M., & Santens, R. L. (2012). Writing implementation research grant proposals: ten key ingredients. Implementation Science, 7(1), 96.
Pyrczak, F. (2016). Writing empirical research reports: A basic guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences. Routledge.