NURS 8310 Assignment 1: Selecting a Population Health Problem
Week 3 Main Post
Patterns of observational studies in epidemiology is vast and has several methodologies. The researcher is tasked with determining which method best suites the hypotheses. The purpose of this entry is to explore the ecologic study of potential post COVID-19 vaccine disease processes, its strengths and limitations, and lessons learned to benefit population health via the design.
What encompasses an observational study? In an observational study, the investigator observed the patients, collecting data about them without assigning any treatment or risk factor to them (Weaver & Goldberg, 2019, p. 25). The disease process potential of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination is in the rise and demands following. The mist appropriate design for this issue will be an ecologic study. An ecological study is one that examines a group as a unit of analysis (Friis & Sellers, 2021, p. 246). There a direct correlation of disease process, including inflammatory markers of those that have been vaccinated, especially in women.
Selecting an ecologic study for the correlation between health issues related to the vaccine enables the researcher to focus on that one particular group. The important characteristic of ecological studies is that the level of exposure for each individual ending unit being studied is unknown (Friis & Sellers, 2021, p. 248). Limitations for this study is measure of exposure with potential for systematic differences (based on brand of vaccine received). Strengths of the study would be exposure data and differences in exposure. Weaver & Goldberg (2019) positioned that the pros of observational studies is that there is no ethical problem since the researcher does not purposely introduce the risk factor (Weaver & Goldberg, 2019, p. 25). With the ecological study, the researchers focus is on the disease process possibility.
The use of an ecological study design can bring forth rich data related to exposure. Friis & Sellers (2021) positioned that exposure data includes measures of economic development, environment measures, and measures of lifestyle (Friis & Sellers, 2021, p. 248). This rich source of data can benefit population health as a whole. Research should be reported transparently so that readers can follow what was planned, what was done, what was found, and what conclusions were drawn (Von Elm et al., 2007, p. 573). The issue presented is an ongoing and forthcoming issue that has several variables to be addressed. In an observational study, researchers do not intervene to impose an exposure on subjects; instead, epidemiologists “observe” the natural exposure categories or disease diagnoses that characterize people and assign them to groups based in these characteristics (Nash et al., 2021, p. 38). Improvements in population health can be obtained on several variables from this type of study related to post COVID-19 vaccination disease processes.
Observational studies in epidemiology are vital to population health. The researcher can gain valuable information from a non-ethical perspective. The opportunity to build on strengths is limitless.
References
Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021). Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J., & Oglesby, W. H. (2021). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Von Elm, E., Altman, D. G., Egger, M., Peacock, S. J., Gotzsche, P. C., & Vandenbroucke, J. O. (2007). Strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: Guidelines for reporting observational studies. Annals of Internal Medicine, 147(8), 573–577.
Weaver, A., & Goldberg, S. (2019). Clinical biostatistics and epidemiology made ridiculously simple. MedMaster, Inc.
Assignment 1: Selecting a Population Health Problem
As you know, promoting positive social change is a part of the Walden mission. To be an effective agent for social change, nurses must be able to logically and critically analyze population health issues using epidemiologic concepts, and then communicate insights in a succinct and professional manner. This exercise will afford you such an experience.
This week, you will complete Assignment 1 in preparation for Major Assessment 7, in which you will apply epidemiologic principles and develop an intervention for a health problem.
For this Assignment, you will examine a health problem of interest to you, and you will develop a brief paper (1–2 pages) outlining the significance of the health problem and describing it in terms of person, place, and time. This outline will help your Instructor determine if the topic you selected is appropriate for the Major Assessment paper.
Prepare for Assignment 1 as follows:
Review the Major Assessment Overview.
Determine a population health problem that is viable for completing this paper. You may use the problem you identified in the Week 1, 2, or Week 3 Discussion, or you may select a new one.
Determine the characteristics of the health problem in terms of person, place, and time.
Using the Walden Library and credible websites, conduct additional research on your selected population health problem. Consider the significance of this health problem.
Examine how Healthy People 2020, listed in the Learning Resources, supports the importance of addressing your selected health problem.
Develop a preliminary research question or hypothesis appropriate for your topic.
To complete:
Write a 1- to 2-page paper that addresses the following:
Describe the population health problem in terms of person, place, and time.
From the primary research literature and Healthy People 2020, briefly explain the significance of this health problem.
Include your preliminary research question or hypothesis.
By Day 7
Submit your 1- to 2-page paper in order to receive feedback on your topic
Note: You will build on this initial definition of your selected health problem as you continue to examine the research literature and epidemiologic data sources.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK3Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
Click the Week 3 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
Click the Week 3 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK3Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
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