Data Analysis Across Different Study Designs: Literature Evaluation Paper (Research Paper Sample)

Literature Evaluation Paper
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Data Analysis Across Different Study Designs.
Data analysis involves analytical and logical evaluation of data with aim of discovering information, understanding a concept, supporting decision making, and/or suggesting conclusions. In statistics, data analysis is essential since enables researchers as well as scholars to draw inductive inferences from a given data sample. Even though in qualitative research there could need for some statistical procedures, the process of data analysis is iterative as data is collected and analyzed almost simultaneously. The form that the data analysis process takes depends largely on the study design and the type of data collected. Furthermore, the interaction between the variables also determines the type of statistical technique to be applied during data analysis.
Section I: A Review of the Data Analysis
Nonparametric Test Paper
Research problem
The use of acupuncture in patients with subacute stroke has been found to produce no substantial benefits to the patients. Many key reviews have not succeeded in pinpointing any evidence of benefits and this could have been attributed to the constricted sample size, insufficient theoretical background, and/or poor study design (Zhu et al, 2013). Therefore, this study, using a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study design, is intended to investigate whether a combination of conventional physical therapy and acupuncture would help improve the activities of daily living and motor function of patients with subacute stroke.
Data collection and source
One hundred and eighty-eight patients with subacute stroke were selected randomly from four rehabilitation centers in Jiangsu province in China. The selected patients were the grouped into acupuncture and rehabilitations groups using the principle of block randomization. This principle helps to block any other factors that affect the measured result yet they are not of primary interests. Such factors include age, MMSE score, and stable vital signs. Besides, the study took longer duration which provided more clinical data for analysis (Zhu et al, 2013). Data was collected by examining ADL of the patients. This is also known as physiological data.
Variables
The study involved many variables (continuous and categorical variables). Motor function and activities of daily living were the dependent variables, while time, treatment group, and time x treatment groups were the independent variables. The hypothesis of the study being that acupuncture is capable of modulating motor activation. The variable that would be central focus of the study is the effect of acupuncture (independent variable) on motor function (dependent variable) and activities of daily living (also dependent variable).
Sample size estimation
The study used a sample size of 188 patients based on the primary outcome measure. A power analysis was conducted from the available literature and it was decided that this sample would sizeable for the study. This allowed for any withdrawals since the study needed only 176 patients (88 per group) in order to assess the differences in limb motor functions between the acupuncture group and the rehabilitation group. Besides, the sample size also catered for type of measurements and covariance structure associated with the study design. Given a standard deviation of 3 and a 0.05 level of significance, the sample size was appropriate for such a two-sided test since it was large enough to warrant an assumption of a normal distribution of the variable (Zhu et al, 2013)
Appropriateness of statistic
Upon recruitment, continuity was guaranteed as the physical therapists and acupuncturist took charge of the treatments for 3-month period. Thus, patient transfer was minimized which significantly reduced the chances of confounding. The process of data collection, entry, and coding was routinely monitored for the stated period of study. The physical therapists received a one-month training prior to the commencement of the study. Furthermore, the performed all outcome measure having been blinded of the group assignments (Zhu et al, 2013). This was to erase any possibility of bias reporting. Sample selection and estimation were also well-based. Since the study checked at the effects of combining physical therapy and acupuncture which involved repeated measures, the use of linear mixed-effects model was appropriate in the primary analysis of the data.
Data display.
The data is presented in table format, which shows the values for specific variables. This makes it easy for a quick check on the significance difference across the groups. The reader is also able to note whether the actual results were analyzed effectively. Collection of data was continuously conducted, results analyzed, and effectively represented in the tables. This increases the validity of the test conducted.
t-Test Paper
Research problem
The research sought to establish to the extent to which surgical team members are acquinted with techniques of fire prevention, and also to train them on areas of deficiency? The recent rise in surgical fire has triggered a call for prevention of the same. The study seeks to know whether the rise of fires is due to lack of knowledge on the side of medical practitioners. It is evident that many surgical team members are not aware of the manner in which surgical fires can be prevented. Given severe consequences of these surgical fires, it is vital that the surgical team be thoroughly equipped on surgical fire prevention techniques (Fisher, 2015). Apart from that, it will also help avoid unnecessarily lose to health centers as well as to the individuals. Therefore, the study seeks to know the extent to which the surgical teams are prepared for surgical fires and also to empower them with necessary information required in handling and preventing fires in the operating rooms. The article asserts that when taken through certification education and training program, the surgical team shall have increased awareness of the surgical fires. The researchers will also be able to validate and verify the knowledge of the surgical team on surgical fires. The author clear articulates the problem that it intends to address by conducting the study.
Data collection and source
The participants used were given exam manuals before the study and after the study. This is was inform of questionnaires. Data was directly obtained from the participants’ responses and examination results. The sources of data are reliable since the participants were actual surgical team members who have had encounters with surgical fires (Fisher, 2015).
Variables
The only variable in such a study is the level of awareness of the surgical team on surgical fire prevention. The variable is dependent since it is measure before and after the administration of the certification and training program. The study seeks to establish how the level of awareness of the surgical team (dependent variable) changes before and after the program (Fisher, 2015). In this case, the certification program can be presumed to be independent variable.
Sample size estimation
The study involved ten participants which is a very small sample size. For a paired sample t-test, the sample size has to be small so as to give appropriate comparison of the standard deviations (Fisher, 2015). Power analysis was not conducted for this study.
Appropriateness of statistic
Paired sample t-test is effective in determining the actual impact of the certification program. The hypothesis was that increased in surgical fires results from the fact the surgical team members are not adequately prepared on fire prevention techniques. Data collected before the program would help the researcher to validate and verify participants’ level of awareness. Data collected after the training program will help the researcher to determine the effectiveness of the program. Since the certification examination lacked extensive proof of validity the entire study is likely to be compromised (Fisher, 2015). However, the effect of any confounding variable is highly minimized in such a study. The assumption that the certification program increased the members’ awareness was well met.
Data display
The analyzed data was presented in table format. The article did not provide any tabulated data, but showed statistical values obtained after data analysis. It is therefore, very hard for the observer to detect any trends for future studies. Besides, the actual scores for each of the participants were not availed in the study. With clear data display, the researcher may not convince the observer of the actual results and the validity of analysis.
Correlation Paper
Research problem
The research question was to establish whether health locus of control affects compliance with treatment regimen. It is no doubt that hypertension has become prevalent in the current society causing very grievous complications unlike in the past. This has been partly attributed to epidemiological changes. It has also been argued that the prevalence of hypertension could be due to lack of compliance with the treatment regimen. Some also develop severe consequences of hypertension because they lack internal locus of control of their health. Accordingly, it is the locus of control of health (whether internal or external) that shows whether a patient will comply with treatment regimen (Taher et al., 2015). Thus, the study seeks to explain the relationship between the health locus of control and compliance to the treatment among patients with hypertension.
Data collection and source
The major source of data for the study was 130 patients having high blood pressure. The study involved questionnaires to collect data. The questionnaire consisted ...