Population Health and Epidemiology

· Points 150

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF SECONDARY DATA SOURCES

 

In this information age, where data are readily accessible and there is both a great demand for accelerated research projects and strict limitations on research funding, using existing data makes sense. Data used in this way are called secondary data; they come in many forms and contain information on just about anything—depending on who collected the information in the first place, and why.

As a health professional, you have access to a wide range of secondary data sources, including government agencies (such as, the Census Bureau or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and private sources, including local health service providers. Global and international data are available from familiar sources, such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations. In addition, nearly every nation maintains statistics on social, economic, and environmental indicators, which contain a wealth of health information. As a member of the Walden community, you have access to the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the world’s largest archival database of secondary data. You also have access to the Social Change Impact Report (SCIR) data sets—a Walden-owned database. There are also a number of sources and tutorials available to you through Walden’s Office of Research and Doctoral Quality. No matter the topic—be it vaccination rates, women’s access to mammography, or chronic lung disease—you can probably find an existing secondary data source related to the specific population health problem you are investigating. The next steps are to identify the variables in the data source that you would need to analyze to examine the association of interest and to assess the validity of the data source. For this Assignment, you delve into these issues in greater detail.

RESOURCES

 

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

LEARNING RESOURCES

Required Readings

· Curley, A. L. C. (Ed.). (2020). Population-based nursing: Concepts and competencies for advanced practice (3rd ed.). Springer.

· Chapter 6, “Using Information Technology to Improve Population Outcomes”

· Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021).  Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.

· Chapter 4, “Descriptive Epidemiology: Person, Place, Time”

· Chapter 5, “Sources of Data for Use in Epidemiology”

· National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine. (2019).  Finding and using health statistics.Links to an external site.  https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/stats_tutorial/cover.html

SECONDARY DATA SOURCES

Use the following resources to locate secondary data sources for this week’s Assignment:

· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.).  Data.CDC.gov: Home.Links to an external site.  https://data.cdc.gov/

· National Center for Health Statistics. (2015).  Resources for researchers.Links to an external site.  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nchs_for_you/researchers.htm

· Walden University Office of Research and Doctoral Services. (n.d.).  Explore existing datasets.Links to an external site.  https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/research-center/student-research/data-sources

· World Health Organization. (2021).  WHO Data collectionsLinks to an external site.  [Data sets]. https://www.who.int/data/collections

 

TO PREPARE:

· Consider a variety of population health problems and then select one of professional interest on which to focus for this Assignment.

· Explore three data sources (data sets) presented in the Learning Resources that could aid you in describing the population and magnitude of the problem you selected. Consider the strengths and limitations of each data source.

THE ASSIGNMENT

In 3–4 pages (not including title page and references), analyze the data sources you selected by addressing the following:

· Briefly identify the population health problem you selected.

· Identify each data set you selected.

· Identify the variables in each data set you would need to examine the association of interest.

· Assess the validity of each data set. Has it been used for prior studies/publications?

· Explain challenges you might face as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it.

Rubric

NURS_8310_Week2_Assignment_Rubric

NURS_8310_Week2_Assignment_Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIn 3–4 pages (not including title page and references), analyze the data sources you selected by addressing the following: Briefly identify the population health problem you selected.	20 to >17.0 pts Excellent The response accurately, clearly, and concisely identifies the selected population health problem. 17 to >15.0 pts Good The response accurately identifies the selected population health problem. 15 to >12.0 pts Fair The response somewhat inaccurately or vaguely identifies the selected population health problem. 12 to >0 pts Poor The response inaccurately and vaguely identifies the selected population health problem, or it is missing.	20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdentify each data set you selected. Identify the variables in each data set you would need to examine the association of interest.	40 to >35.0 pts Excellent The response accurately, clearly, and concisely identifies each data set…. The response accurately, clearly, and concisely identifies the variables in each data set needed to examine the association of interest. 35 to >31.0 pts Good The response accurately identifies each data set…. The response accurately identifies the variables in each data set needed to examine the association of interest. 31 to >27.0 pts Fair The response somewhat inaccurately or vaguely identifies each data set…. The response somewhat inaccurately or vaguely identifies the variables in each data set needed to examine the association of interest. 27 to >0 pts Poor The response inaccurately and vaguely identifies each data set, or it is missing…. The response inaccurately and vaguely identifies the variables in each data set needed to examine the association of interest, or it is missing.	40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAssess the validity of each data set. Has it been used for prior studies/publications?	40 to >35.0 pts Excellent An accurate and detailed explanation of the validity of each data set is provided, including whether it has been used in prior studies/publications. 35 to >31.0 pts Good An accurate explanation of the validity of each data set is provided, including whether it has been used in prior studies/publications. 31 to >27.0 pts Fair A somewhat inaccurate or vague explanation of the validity of each data set and whether it has been used in prior studies/publications is provided. 27 to >0 pts Poor An inaccurate and vague, or incomplete explanation of the validity of each data set and whether it has been used in prior studies/publications is provided, or it is missing.	40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExplain challenges you might face as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it.	35 to >31.0 pts Excellent An accurate and detailed explanation of potential challenges as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it is provided. 31 to >27.0 pts Good An accurate explanation of potential challenges as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it is provided. 27 to >24.0 pts Fair A somewhat inaccurate or vague explanation of potential challenges as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it is provided. 24 to >0 pts Poor An inaccurate and vague explanation of potential challenges as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it is provided, or it is missing.	35 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused—neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity…. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria. 4 to >3.5 pts Good Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time…. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive. 3.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%–79% of the time…. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic. 3 to >0 pts Poor Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time…. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting—English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors. 4 to >3.5 pts Good Contains a few (1 or 2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 3.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Contains several (3 or 4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. 3 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.	5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWritten Expression and Formatting: The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.	5 to >4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct APA format with no errors. 4 to >3.5 pts Good Contains a few (1 or 2) APA format errors. 3.5 to >3.0 pts Fair Contains several (3 or 4) APA format errors. 3 to >0 pts Poor Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.	5 pts
Total Points: 150