Evaluating Research: Study Designs, Advantages, Limits & Application

This report provides a detailed overview of three key observational study designs used in healthcare research: cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and case-control studies. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each design, including considerations for sample size, bias, and applicability to different research questions. The report further applies these study designs to specific research scenarios, such as investigating the association between dementia and antidepressant use, quantifying the risk of Torsade de pointe with a novel antifungal, and studying the risk of depression associated with alphamethyldopa. The selection of appropriate study designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and randomized controlled trials, is justified based on the research setting, available resources, and the need for rapid results or long-term follow-up. The report also touches upon mixed research approaches combining qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive data collection and analysis. Desklib offers a range of similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

0NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Answer 1
Cohort study design is the observational research aspect that depends on the
observations and follow ups to identify the reasons that causes the potential risks in subject
population [1]. The advantages of this research process are: It facilitates study of some rare
exposures, which is not possible in other research processes, clearly identifies the temporal
sequence and identifies the temporal between exposure and outcome and finally it allows
identification of multiple effects of single exposure [2]. Further the disadvantages are associated
with higher number of sample or subjects, inability to implement in rare disease condition and
higher chances of bias [1].
Cross sectional study, on the other hand, are very cost effective and could be completed
within a short period of time. Further it is easier to collect data from multiple sources included in
the research through this method. However, among disadvantage, it could be said that it cannot
be implemented for analyzing behavioral experiments and experiments related to determination
of cause and effect [3].
The case control study is inclusive of a group related to the case and control group so that
comparison between their outcomes could be done[2]. The advantages are associated to the
utilization of the process in rare diseases as it provides complete details about disease exposure
and manifestation due to its ability to assess from the past experience. However, the selection of
subject could be affected with research bias and observational bias that leads to inability to
conduct accurate calculation of incidence [4].

2NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Answer 2
Question Setting Proposed design
Investigate a potential association
between dementia and use of
antidepressants in adults
Call for research (European
Commission, Three-year
funding)
cohort experimental study will be used in this case as it helps to
understand the prospective approach of the research and helps to
identify the potential causes and future effects of the consequence
[1]
Quantify the risk of Torsade de
pointe associated with the use of a novel
antifungal indicated after bone-marrow
grafting
Regulator wants to act rapidly Quasi-experimental study will be conducted to quantify the risk
associated to the above-mentioned drug on a specific disease
condition as it help to specify the control and subject group
determining lower risk of randomization and associated bias [2].
Study the risk of depression
associated with the use of
Call for research. Association
of patients suffering from
Randomized control trail will be used as the research method as
in this research method participants will be randomly collected and

3NURSING ASSIGNMENT
alphamethyldopa, a central
antihypertensive drug
hypertension then the subject intervention will be applied on them so that the
effect of it could be assessed.
Evaluate the risk of
agranulocytosis associated with the use
of levetiracetam in adults, a drug used in
as a second-line treatment of epilepsy
Regulator wants to act rapidly Randomized control trial will be used to understand the effect of
the drug on patients and hence, randomized population with
selected control group help to obtain the accurate results [3].
Describe the characteristics of
patients treated with levetiracetam.
Compare with the characteristics of
patients treated with other antiepileptics
Regulator wants
follow-up of the drug
In this aspect to provide the regulator with continuous follow-up,
cross-sectional study will be used as it will be easier for the
assessor to determine and compare the effects of the drug on the
disease.
Describe what are the patterns of use of
alphamethyldopa in patients with high
blood pressure
Regulator wants follow-up of
the drug
Mixed research approach with qualitative and quantitative
research approach will be used so that the effect of drug could be
obtained with proper follow up and the quantity used to achieve

4NURSING ASSIGNMENT
favourable outcome could be understood [1].
Evaluate the risk of pathological
gambling associated with the use of for
different dopamine agonists
Call for research.
Association of patients
suffering from Parkinson
disease
This research requires long timeline and follow ups and hence
cohort study will be used for the completion of this research so
that potential outcomes could be collected in different dopamine
agonists
Evaluate the risk of second
cancer in patients treated for leukemia in
childhood, according to the type of
chemotherapy received
Call for research
(European Commission, Three-
year funding)
Case control study will be implemented as it focuses on the past
exposure of the disease on the patients and then include controls to
understand the rate of reoccurrence on the patients [2].

5NURSING ASSIGNMENT
References
1. Omair A. Selecting the appropriate study design for your research: Descriptive study designs. Journal of Health
Specialties 2015;3:153. doi:10.4103/1658-600x.159892
2. Von Elm, Erik, et al. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE)
Statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. International journal of surgery 2014; 12:1495-1499. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.013
3. Gamble JM. An introduction to the fundamentals of cohort and case–control studies. The Canadian journal of hospital
pharmacy. 2014;5:366. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4214579/
4. Pandis N, Tu Y, Fleming P et al. Randomized and nonrandomized studies: Complementary or competing?. American
Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics2014;146:633-640. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2014.08.002