Discussion: Research Design and Methods
Health information systems used in public health are well known for their quality and breadth.
More recently, “Big Data” has captured the attention of health care and public health
professionals as a potential powerful source of data not yet fully explored.
This week, you will review a published study that uses secondary data drawn from a large data
set. As you do so, remember that research design and methods are often chosen simultaneously,
depending on the study population, the purpose of the study, the variables, and the time frame
within which data on these variables are to be collected.
For this week’s Discussion,
Select a published study on public health prevalence or incidence
from the library that uses secondary data, and evaluate its study design and methods.
To prepare:
• Research the library and select a published study on public health prevalence or incidence
that uses secondary data.
• Review the study design and methods of the study you have selected.
• Research for trusted sources of information used in public health and review their
structure and content.
Post a 2– to 3–paragraph evaluation of the published study you selected. Include the following:
• A brief description of the published study you selected
• An explanation of the study design and methods the authors used
• An evaluation of whether the selected study design, methods, and secondary data sources
were the most appropriate (provide your rationale).
Support your post based on the Learning Resources and current literature. Use APA 7 formatting
for your discussion and to cite your resources.
Article to use:
Black, T., Saini, M., Fallon, B., Deljavan, S., & Theoduloz, R. (2021). The intersection of child
welfare, intimate partner violence and child custody disputes: secondary data analysis of the
Ontario incidence study of reported child abuse and neglect. Journal of Public Child
Welfare, 15(4), 473–486.
Resources to be used (writer must include two more appropriated resource)
Shi, L., & Johnson, J. A. (Eds.). (2014). Novick & Morrow’s public health administration:
Principles for population–based management (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones &
Bartlett.
• Chapter 15, “Public Health Surveillance” (pp. 313–341)
