You need to answer questions 1-5 for the TWO readings you have chosen. You are only expected to use...

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You need to answer questions 1-5 for the TWO readings you have chosen. You are only expected to use information from the actual articles which have been provided. You are not expected to seek further information from other sources. Question 1: What is the research question? [2 marks] Question 2: a) What is the exposure and how is it measured? [3 marks] b) What is the outcome and how is it measured? [3 marks] c) Discuss the potential for measurement bias in this study, related to both the exposure and the outcome variables. Consider differential and non-differential measurement bias in your answer, and demonstrate your understanding by providing examples from the study. What measures were used to avoid or minimise measurement bias? Did the authors address the potential sources of error caused by measurement bias? Describe the likely practical consequences of any measurement bias on the results. [7 marks] Question 3: Describe the study population. How were participants recruited? Are there any potential sources of bias related to the choice of sample? What measures were taken to avoid or minimise bias relating to choice of sample? How would any potential sources of bias relating to choice of sample have impacted on the observed results?

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James Cook University College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences Epidemiology for Public Health (TM5515) Assignment 2 Semester 1, 2017 Due date: Sunday 21 May 2017, midnight. This assignment is based on material covered in this subject in weeks 5a (Descriptive Epidemiology and Analytical Epidemiology (Observational) to 10 (Ethics in Health Research), but builds on topics covered throughout the subject. The marks allocated to each question are indicated beside the question. Note that questions are not evenly weighted. The assignment is worth 100 marks in total, and will contribute 25% towards the assessment for this subject. TOTAL MARKS = 100 Format of the assignment and method of submission: Your assignment should be typed, with adequate space left between questions. Please include your name and student ID at the top of each page, and ensure each page is properly numbered. Assignments should be submitted as a Word or PDF document via LearnJCU. Handwritten documents will not be accepted. Submission via LearnJCU requires you to read and understand the plagiarism statement, and to attest that the work you submit is entirely your own. Late assignments will not be accepted without prior approval. Assignments for which an extension has not been sought prior to the due date may attract a penalty of 5% per day of the total marks available for the assignment, as per JCU policy. Referencing: For this assignment you are not required to read or research beyond the given articles, the core course materials, and the prescribed textbook. You are welcome to research beyond these materials, but will not receive extra marks for doing so. If you use only core materials, minimal referencing is required. If you do source and include further information, then you should reference appropriately, using any suitable referencing style.TM5515 Epidemiology for Public Health ...

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Robert · Accepted Answer

ANSWERS
1. The research question is to find out whether the observed 
levels of psychological distress in cancer survivors relate 
specifically to aspects of  cancer diagnosis, to treatment or to 
disability. 
2. (a) Here the study mainly involves the population of New South 
Wales, Australia . Exposure is measured by a large scale study 
of healthy ageing of men and women and the study is called 45 
and Up study and by recording the regions from which people 
participated  
(b) The outcome was a score which indicated the amount of 
psychological distress. The outcome was measured by analysing 
symptoms of psychological distress over the past 4 weeks. 
© The measurement in relation to exposure and outcome 
variables can be quite biased to a certain extent. Sometimes it 
is assumed that people suffering from a type of cancer is 
suffering from more psychological distress compared to an 
unaffected person which may not be true always even in the 
case of Australia. 
The measures used to avoid the measurement bias were done 
by  doing measurements correctly and on a regular bias 
without favouring a group of people. 
The potential sources of error were not addressed as such and 
measurement bias in the results can give people wrong 
information regarding cancer and psychological distress and 
may arise panic wrongly in a particular group of people.
3. Individuals whose ages were 45 or above were sampled from 
the Medicare Australia Database and oversampling was done 
for rural residents and older people. Participants joined the 
study only after completing a postal questionnaire and 
providing written consent for follow up. Recruitment and 
analysis of participants was done only if the  person had a valid 
Kessler psychological distress scale. 
There is less potential  bias since participants are chosen on the 
basis of scores according to the  Kessler psychological scale. 
A uniform scoring system was used to avoid or minimise bias 
regarding choice of sample. 
If a particular section of people were preferentially sampled 
then the results could be in the favour of a particular group of 
people causing undesirable panic in the other section of 
people. 
4. (a) The main findings  were  that 16.1 percent of the 
participants that is 14380 participants out of the 89574 
participants had cancer apart from non melanoma skin cancer. 
These people were in general found to be suffering from a high 
level of psychological distress. There was no  significant 
difference between men without cancer and those having 
prostrate cancer regardless of treatment status and similarly 
between women without cancer and those having breast 
cancer or melanoma cancer regardless of recent treatment. 
Men who were treated for melanoma or other cancers had 
significantly increased distress but this was of borderline 
significance in those with melanoma cancer.  
5. The confounder in this study could be that melanoma cancer 
has not been included in this study . 
This elimination can lead confounding because this might lead 
to wrong results.

You need to answer questions 1-5 for the TWO readings you have chosen. You are only expected to use information from the actual articles which have been provided. You are not expected to seek further...

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