Public Health Statistics Interpreting Statistics in Research Articles 2022

Running head: PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS 1
Interpreting Statistics in Research Articles
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS 2
Paper 1: Liam et al. (2014) - Alcohol and other drug use at school leavers' celebrations
1. The researchers present two aims for the study, which leads to development of two
separate hypothesis. The first hypothesis by the researchers states that the celebratory
events are associated with increased use of alcohol and other drugs and led to risky
behavioural engagements in the subject. The null would be that subjects are engaged
in higher alcohol and other drug use in celebratory events. The alternative hypothesis
would be that celebratory events has no statistical significance to show increase in the
use of alcohol and other drugs. The independent variable is celebratory event and the
dependent variable is alcohol and drug use (AOD).
The second hypothesis is concerned with the experiences of harm and the level of
alcohol and drug use. The null hypothesis states that higher the use of alcohol and
other drugs will lead to greater experiences of harm in celebratory events. The
alternative hypothesis would be that levels of alcohol and drug use has so statistical
association with the experiences of harm in celebratory events. The independent
variable is level of AOD use and the dependent variable is experiences of harm.
2. The researchers have used convenience or ‘opportunistic’ sampling method to engage
participants in the survey.
The primary advantages associated with this sampling method is the simplicity of
sampling which eases hypothesis generation and facilitates data collection in short
period (Jager, Putnick & Bornstein, 2017). Furthermore, it one of the most
inexpensive sampling method (Acharya et al., 2013).
The key disadvantages associated with this method of recruiting the participants is the
high vulnerability of selection bias and other influences, which may go beyond the
control of the researchers (Taherdoost, 2016). Furthermore, such sampling method is

PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS 3
associated with increase sampling error (Etikan, Musa & Alkassim, 2016). These
disadvantages reduces the credibility of convenience sampling method significantly.
3. According to the research study, majority of the respondents were 17 years (91%) and
the rest were 18 years old (9%). Over half of the population comprised of female
respondents (56%). The demographic characteristics of the sample population were
then analysed for descriptive such as hangover, vomiting, emotional outburst,
argument, injury and legal problems. The accommodation location, level of AOD use,
survey modality and gender were the key independent variables of which the study is
based upon.
4. The researchers assessed six factors using logistic regression analyses. The
researchers took in consideration six independent variables to measure the
experiences of harm and ability of safety strategies in attenuating those experiences.
The variables included mean quantity of alcohol consumed in an event’s single day,
the use of other drugs, safety strategies related to alcohol which were assessed using
PBSS (Protective Behavioural Strategies Survey), gender of the respondents, the
location of accommodation and the survey administration modality, whether it was
face-to-face or online. The researchers have utilised the Standard Drink (SD)
approach, which is a validated tool from the National Drug Strategy Household
survey. The drink specification, size of drink receptacle and the consumption number
of each type comprised the SDs, which the researchers used a basis of the study to
determine the alcohol consumption by the respondents.
5. The researchers initially stated that one of the negative consequences associated with
alcohol and other drug use is unprotected sex. According to the findings from the
research study, the prevalence of unprotected sex in the study population was 13.62
per cent and the odds ratio for significant unique association between unprotected sex