What part do polls and surveys play in medical research?

Question 1

· Textbook: Chapter 8, 9

Reference: Jackson, D. & Newberry, P. (2016). Critical Thinking: A User’s Manual (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth

· Link (website): How to Interpret Surveys in Medical Research: A Practical Approach (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine) (Links to an external site.)

(https://www.mdedge.com/ccjm/article/95982/practice-management/how-interpret-surveys-medical-research-practical-approach)

· Link (website): Methods (Pew Research Center) (Links to an external site.)

Instructions The reasoning used in inductive generalization is based on empirical observations and the inferences we draw from such observations. As such, it is closely allied to the scientific method. It is also the method used in polls and surveys; reports of the results of these polls and surveys can heavily influence decision making in health professions and other areas of public opinion.

For the initial post, address the following:

· Using what you learn from the text and from research you conduct from other sources, analyze polls and surveys.

· If we simply read a report of a poll, how can we know if the poll is reliable? What criteria do we use to analyze them?

· What part do polls and surveys play in medical research?

· Of what value are public opinion polls?

· Inductive generalization is sometimes mistaken for deductive categorical reasoning.

· Using what you’ve learned in your study of analogical reasoning, examine why this may happen?

· What are the similarities in the two? The differences?

· Where does the analogy break down?

The website links provided in the Required Resources are a good starting place for your research.

Question 2

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

· Textbook: Chapter 10

Reference: Jackson, D. & Newberry, P. (2016). Critical Thinking: A User’s Manual (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth

· Link (library article): Myopia and Ambient Lighting at Night (Links to an external site.)

· Link (library article): Myopia and Ambient Night-Time Lighting (Links to an external site.)

· Link (website): What Are Clinical Trials and Studies? (Links to an external site.)

Instructions As the text points out, causal reasoning is used in clinical studies. As a professional in the health field, you will undoubtedly be referring to cause/effect studies for the rest of your professional life. In this discussion, you are asked to expand and deepen your understanding of clinical studies.

In 1999, a study on the causes of myopia appeared in the prestigious journal Nature (Quinn). The study received wide-spread publicity in leading newspapers, such as the New York Times, and on television outlets, such as CBS and CNN. Within a year, another article in Naturefollowed up the 1999 study (Zadnik). The studies had dramatically different findings.

Using what you have learned from the text, as well as any other sources you may find useful (including the websites in the Required Resources), analyze and evaluate the methodology of both studies and how methodology affected the differences in how the studies were reported.

Reportage of both studies can be found with an Internet search using all of the following terms: <Philadelphia myopia night lights>