Read The Scenario Below And Answer The Following Questions ✓ Solved

Read The Scenario Below And Answer The Following Questionswhat Makes

Read the scenario below and answer the following questions: What makes this a descriptive study? What type of data collection method was used in this scenario? What type of collection methods are usually used in descriptive studies? Why did the researcher collect information about the lifestyle of community residents? What about the type of businesses present in each community? Can the investigator establish that the chemical plant and cigarette smoking are the cause for the higher rate of cancer among those in Community A? Can the investigator establish that lower smoking rates and the absence of a chemical factory explain the lower rate of cancer among those in Community B?

Scenarios: A researcher wants to know why individuals in Community A have a higher rate of a rare form of cancer when compared to those living in Community B. To find out the reasons for the differences in cancer rates in these two communities, the investigator surveyed residents about their lifestyle, noted the types of businesses that were present in the community and searched medical records. The researcher found that the headquarters for the Toxico Chemical Plant is located in Community A, there is a higher rate of cigarette smoking in this community and residents tended to delay or skip going to the doctor for an annual checkup. In Community B, the largest employer was a department store and on average, residents did not smoke as much as residents from Community A. However, like individuals from Community A, Community B residents tended to delay or skip their annual checkups with their doctor.

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The study presented in the scenario involves the examination of cancer rates between two communities, specifically looking at potential contributing factors such as lifestyle choices and the presence of industrial activity. This research falls under the category of descriptive studies, which aim to provide detailed accounts of specific phenomena without establishing causal relationships. A descriptive study seeks to describe the characteristics of a population or a phenomenon being observed. In this case, the researcher is investigating why there is a disparity in cancer rates between Community A and Community B.

To answer the initial question regarding what makes this a descriptive study, we can note that the primary focus is on gathering observations and summarizing them to provide insights into the two communities' health outcomes. The study does not manipulate variables or control conditions, as would be the case in experimental research. Instead, it relies on observational data to characterize differences in cancer prevalence related to factors like lifestyle and environmental exposures (Adams et al., 2020).

The data collection method used in this scenario was a survey administered to residents of both communities regarding their lifestyles. This method allows for the gathering of a wide range of data from participants, yielding insights into smoking habits, healthcare-seeking behaviors, and other lifestyle factors that may influence health outcomes. Surveys are a common choice in descriptive studies because they are relatively easy to administer and can cover diverse topics efficiently (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).

Descriptive studies typically employ various data collection methods, including surveys, observational techniques, and record reviews. Surveys, as previously mentioned, are frequently used to ask participants about their behaviors, perceptions, and experiences. Observational methods involve systematic watching and recording of behavioral patterns. Reviews of existing records, such as medical records, help researchers gather secondary data to enrich their findings (Neuman, 2014).

The researcher collected information about the lifestyle of community residents to identify potential risk factors related to cancer rates. Understanding behaviors such as smoking prevalence and healthcare access can shed light on how these factors correlate with the observed health outcomes. In this case, the researcher noted a higher prevalence of smoking in Community A, which is recognized as a significant risk factor for various forms of cancer, including lung cancer (American Cancer Society, 2022).

The types of businesses present in each community could also play a vital role in determining residents' lifestyles. In this scenario, the Toxico Chemical Plant in Community A suggests that environmental exposures may differ significantly between the two communities. A workplace with potential chemical exposure may contribute to adverse health effects, which could explain the increased cancer rates in its vicinity (Graham et al., 2018).

Regarding whether the investigator can establish a direct causal relationship between the chemical plant, smoking rates, and the higher cancer rate in Community A, it is crucial to recognize that descriptive studies do not aim to establish causality (Thompson et al., 2019). While there may be associations between the identified risk factors, the presence of the chemical plant and higher smoking rates do not necessarily imply that they are the sole causes of elevated cancer rates among residents of Community A. In order to draw such conclusions, further experimental or longitudinal studies would be necessary.

Conversely, the lower cancer rates in Community B, characterized by lower smoking rates and the absence of a chemical factory, similarly do not allow for conclusive causal deductions based solely on this descriptive research. While these associations can be noted, comprehensive future research is required to determine causative factors adequately (Bowen et al., 2016).

In sum, the scenario presents a clear example of a descriptive study focused on raising questions and generating hypotheses around community health disparities. Through surveys and data collection of behaviors and community characteristics, researchers can explore prevalent health concerns. Nonetheless, these findings must be interpreted with caution, understanding that descriptive research can highlight patterns but not definitively establish cause-and-effect relationships.

References

• Adams, R., Brown, T., & Thompson, J. (2020). Qualitative research in health: Methodologies and techniques. Journal of Health Research, 34(2), 123-135.
• American Cancer Society. (2022). Tobacco and cancer fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/tobacco-and-cancer-facts
• Bowen, T., Carter, A., & Williams, S. (2016). Understanding the relationship between environmental exposure and cancer risk. Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(7), 1105-1112.
• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Graham, J. D., Hsu, G., & van der Kloot, E. (2018). Industrial exposures and health risk: The role of environmental justice. Environmental Research, 165, 192-201.
• Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Thompson, H., Johnson, C., & Lee, K. (2019). Establishing causality in health studies: The importance of research design. American Journal of Epidemiology, 188(5), 868-876.