NUR 520 Module Six Activity: Study Designs

Overview

One aspect of evaluating epidemiological studies is understanding how the study was conducted and what methodology was used to collect data. The study design used in epidemiological studies provides insights into the results as well. For example, certain types of study designs are more prone to certain types of bias. Understanding the study design characteristics can also help you determine whether and how the research is applicable to your client population.

Prompt

For this activity, use the NUR 520 Module Six Activity Template to formulate a research question about an exposure-outcome relationship and select three types of study designs you can use to answer this question. Then compare the three types of studies and determine which one would be most suitable for your research question. Provide specific evidence from at least two scholarly sources to support your claims.

Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:

Part 1: Question and study design

1. Research Question: Frame a research question for a disease exposure-outcome relationship that you want to study. For example: Is drinking water with PFAS associated with a higher risk of kidney disease in rural towns?
2. Study Design: Choose three different types of study designs you could use to examine the exposure-outcome relationship. Be sure to include whether your chosen studies are observational or experimental.

Part 2: Study Comparisons

1. Population Selection: Identify the method(s) used by each study to assign participants into the study.
2. Timing Approach: Describe the timing approach you would use for each study.
3. Measures of Association: List the measures of association that will be used by each study. Be sure to include a brief description of how you will interpret these measures for the exposure-outcome relationship.
4. Confounding: Determine a third variable that could be a confounder for your exposure disease relationship. Be sure to include one method to control for confounding.
5. Bias: Identify a potential source of bias in the design for your research question. Be sure to identify at least one way to mitigate this potential bias.

Part 3: Conclusion

1. Conclusion: Determine which type of study design is best suited to answer your research question. Explain your rationale for this conclusion.

What to Submit

Submit the completed Module Six Activity Template. Sources should be cited according to APA style.

NUR 520 Module Six Activity Template

Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information.

Part One:

Research Question

Propose a research question about a disease exposure-outcome relationship.

[Insert research question here.]

Study Designs

Select any three types of study designs that you can use to answer your research question. Also, state whether they are observational or experimental.

1. [Identify Study Design 1.]
2. [Identify Study Design 2.]
3. [Identify Study Design 3.]

Part Two:

Comparison of Study Designs

Complete this table to compare the three types of study designs you selected above.

Comparison Criteria

[Study Design 1]

[Study Design 2]

[Study Design 3]

Population Selection

[Identify the population selection method.]

[Identify the population selection method.]

[Identify the population selection method.]

Timing Approach

[Determine the timing of the study.]

[Determine the timing of the study.]

·      [Determine the timing the of study.]

Measures of Association

·      [List measures of association.]

·      [Interpret the measures.]

·      [List measures of association.]

·      [Interpret the measures.]

·      [List measures of association.]

·      [Interpret the measures.]

Confounding

·      [Identify a possible confounder.]

·      [Identify one method to control for confounding.]

·      [Identify a possible confounder.]

·      [Identify one method to control for confounding.]

·      [Identify a possible confounder.]

·      [Identify one method to control for confounding.]

Bias

·      [Identify a potential bias.]

·      [Identify one method to mitigate the bias.]

·      [Identify a potential bias.]

·      [Identify one method to mitigate the bias.]

·      [Identify a potential bias.]

·      [Identify one method to mitigate the bias.]

Part Three:

Conclusion

Choose the study design best suited to answer your research question. Explain why you think this will be the best type of study for your research.

[Insert text.]

References

Cite your sources according to APA guidelines.

[Insert text.]