In: Operations Management
Which of the following statements is not an accurate description of epidemiologic studies using large group data such as National Hospital Discharge Survey or National Health Interview Survey?
a. | Data are usually gathered for fiscal and administrative purposes; they may not be well suited for scientific research. | |
b. | Because the data sets exist at the time the research is initiated, analysis can be completed and results generated relatively rapidly. | |
c. | Given the large data sets used, sample size is usually considered a major problem. | |
d. | When necessary variables or questions are absent, the investigators may consciously or subconsciously change the research questions. | |
e. | The advantage of using large data sets is that the data refer to real-world populations; the issue of representativeness is minimized. |
To identify the statement that is not accurate description of epidemiologic studies using large group data, we will identify the accurate statements.
(a) When collecting the data in epidemiologic studies, the data is collected for administrative purposes, so this data cannot be used for specific research to get the answer of specific research questions. Hence, this statement is accurate.
(b) Due to large data sets, the data represent the population and the issue of generalizing in any theory development is minimized. Large data sets provide complete information in time due to timing of data. Hence, this statement is accurate.
(c) In case of epidemiologic studies, the sample size is not a major problem. The major problem is the data quality to investigate the real problem or research question.
(d) In the case of epidemiologic studies, sometimes the data collected becomes irrelevant or incomplete as when the data was collected the related variable was not considered important. So with the large data sets, when the researcher does not get the desired variables, the researcher changes the research question. Hence, this statement is accurate.
(e) This statement is accurate, as mentioned in option (b), due to large data, the researcher gets the sample that represent the population. Hence, this statement is accurate.
Answer: (c)