Question

Cohort Study In October 1951, Doll and Hill mailed a short questionnaire to 59.000 men and women whose names were on the current British Medical Registrar (i.e.. current physicians) and were residents of the United Kingdom. In addition to name, age, and address, they were asked to say whether they currently smoked, had previously smoked and had given it up, or they had never smoked regularly (one cigarette per day for at least one year). The smokers and former smokers were asked at what age they started smoking, the amount they smoked, and method of smoking. Additionally, ex-smokers were asked the age they quit smoking Question 15. Was the study population representative of the general population? Question 16. Is it essential for the purpose of the study that the sample be fully representative of the entire population? Question 17. Provide two reasons that a very brief questionnaire was used. Valid responses were received from 40,637 (68%) of the physicians. Question 18. How do you think the response rate might affect the study's results?

Answer 1

The case is about the study of population of smokers though questionnaire who are either of residents of U.K. or registered in the Current British Medical Register.

15. The study population is the part of general population. Here the general population is 59,000 men and women who are in the Current British Medical Register and residents of U.K. So, the general population here is Residents of UK. Hence, the study population represents the general population.

16. Yes, it is essential for the purpose of study that the entire population is fully representative of entire population. This is because the study sample is related to health issues of general population. It collects the data of the population who were smoking or is smoking still and their age of started smoking. This also collects the data of population to study about the smoker’s age who quit smoking.

17. The two reasons because of which brief questionnaire is used are as follows:

1. Privacy and security of the individual information.

2. Limited Access to the public health data.

18. The response rate decides the correctness of the study. The most acceptable response rate is in between 50 to 60 %. As the statistic shows that total 68% response rate of the study has been identified, hence, it is acceptable for the further study. Low response rate leads to deviation in the results. So, the research work won’t go up to the mark.