Question

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Discussion Topic 1: Observational Study Designs What study designs could be used to explore the relationships between work--related factors and mental health? Different designs might be more useful for exploring different relationships. Please suggest a proposed observational study design for a study which considers the relationship between work overload and mental health. Why did you choose this study design?

Answer 1

Non experimental research designs are used to study the relationship between work related factors and mental health.Correlational designs and observational designs are used in examining the relationship between two or more variables in their natural settings without manipulation and control.These can be retrospective or prospective .In retrospective studies the data are collected from the past through records or by asking the participants.Prospective studies observes the participants forward through collecting data.Developmental research designs such as cross sectional design and longitudinal design,Epidemological design such as case control studies and cohort studies can also be used.Cross sectional design examines the phenomenon only at one point in time and the longitudinal design examines the phenomenon at more than one point in time.Case control studies are retrospective and it compares the participants who have a disease or outcome of interest (cases) with participants who donot havedisease or outcome( controls).Cohert is a longitudinal approach designed to measure the exposure and outcome in the context of time.

Example for a proposed study design :- "A Prospective observational study on the relationship between work overload and mental health among the nurses working in intensive care units of coronary care hospitals in Newyork".Prospetive observational study design is selected because this is the simplest method available.The researcher can directly observe the participants for a particular period of time and thus the bias can be minimised.Obsevation doesnot require the willingness of the people to provide various information.Observation itself is a tool for collecting data.Simple questioniare can be used.The data can be analysed by simple methods..Observational studies provide ready access to the population .Large data collection is possible.This design can adress the other exposures that are not potentially under the control of the investigator.