Introduction and Research Problem
This is an analysis of the article research on the “diet and vitamin or mineral supplements and risk of renal cell carcinoma in Canada” by Jinfu, Yang & Kathy (2003). This analysis will criticize the research methodology and statistical analysis used in determining the role of diet vitamin or mineral supplements on the risk of (RCC) or Renal Cell Carcinoma. Jinfu, Yang, & Kathy (2003) made use of mailed questionnaires to gather information on the research problem. The questionnaire focused on the variables of smoking habits, socioeconomic status, alcohol use, mineral and vitamin supplements, and diet. The statistical analysis tools to be analyzed as the Odds ratios and the 95% confidence intervals, which are the major statistical analysis tools used in unconditional logistic regression. The information from this research is applicable and useful in increasing knowledge on nutritional, preventative, and curative health, given that vitamin and mineral supplement intake are on the increase as a way to prevent illnesses.
Reading the research introduction, background of the study, and the literature review, it was easy to identify how Jinfu, Yang & Kathy (2003) identified gaps in the research field and developed their research problem. The research begins by describing RCC and its prevalence in North America, this is necessary because it is possible to identify that the rate of prevalence of the disease and the risk factors associated by various studies form the background to the research. In addition, Jinfu, Yang, & Kathy (2003) make use of literature to show that high intake of vitamins, minerals, such that calcium, beta-carotene, and carotenoid have been linked with the reduce risk of RCC. This is essential since it gives the foundation for the reason why they are investigating the influence of diet, vitamin, and mineral supplements increased risk of RCC in Canada.
Methodology
Jinfu, Yang, & Kathy made use of data from the National Enhanced Cancer Surveillance System (NECSS) to evaluate the vitamin, diet, and mineral supplements risks of RCC in Canada. To study this large sample, the NECSS made use of observational study method to gather information. Analysis of the observational approach reveals that it gave this study valid and credible data, since the NECSS tested their hypothesis, used deduction to test and measure their observable realities and put an emphasis on facts and truths of cancer cases in the region. The observational method made use of convenience samples with disease, along with the random samples without disease as their control population. Moreover, the use of a large sample population that is spread over a large geographical area allows for the reduction of bias, inference, and errors in the data. This critique finds that the research does not explain how the researchers eliminated errors due to biasness and personal inference in their observations. It is important to identify any assumptions in order to avoid biasness, and consequently wrong conclusions based on personal perceptions. This is because the study failed to make use of philosophical paradigms and foundations used in the development of a research method, especially when handling study surveys and observations. It is vital that a true scientific research uses paradigms and identifies issues of ontology and epistemology. This is because they define the beliefs, perception, nature of reality, assumptions of the research. In addition these parameters have the ability to influence the manner in which research is done from the beginning to the end
Apart from observations, the research makes use of questionnaires that were administered via mail to their sample population. The questionnaires had structured and semi-structured questions, that asked questions on the demographic habits of the sample population. Variables like the use of diet, vitamin or mineral supplements, alcohol and smoking habits, and socioeconomic status. This analysis finds that the use of questionnaires to support observation method increases the credibility and reliability of the data results. This is because questionnaires are a primary data collection method that can collect information on the attitudes, beliefs, behaviour, and knowledge of the sample population adequately. Moreover, by making use of randomized sampling and larger population size, the questionnaires are more effective as they adequately reach populations over the face-to-face interview method. The data collected by this method is also valid for NECSS applied the same set of questions for all participants in their study. Moreover, by modelling the questionnaire around the research objectives and the research hypothesis and questions, the study achieved maximum credibility. Moreover, the sampling technique is adequate for this research. This along with the research method makes it possible for the presentation of reliable and credible data that solves their research problem.
Results
The results presented are credible and reliable given that the research made use of tested and validated research methods entailing questionnaires and observations. Moreover, given the ease of flow of the research method, this analysis finds that it is easy to replicate their study along with the critical analysis of the data. The data presented by Jinfu, Yang, & Kathy (2003) is valid for solving the research problem. Analysis of the data analysis method shows that the researchers made use of the mathematical statistical tools of 95% confidence intervals and the odds rations. The 95% confidence interval is useful for this research since it makes an estimate of the range of values, which are likely to be included for an unknown population parameter calculated from a given set of data. The research observed 5380; of this number, 2199 had been confirmed with kidney cancer. The 95% confidence level is applicable for this research since over the number of years the NECSS carried out its study, a number of factors had affected the sample population. The confidence level reveals the percentage of the population that was left by the end of the study, the number of those that died, or refused to consent to the questionnaire, and the number of completed and uncompleted questionnaires. This is necessary in identifying the error rate in participation of the sample population in the research and assists in eliminating errors in the data analysis.
In addition, the 95% confidence level and the Odds rations are applicable to the information obtained from the questionnaires to measure the proportion of the sample population at risk of RCC. The results of these statistical measures are indicating that the risk of RCC is high for hamburger and sausage with a P-value of 0.05. The research also makes use of the unconditional logistic regression SAS software to carry out a statistical analysis of the information obtained from the questionnaires and the observations. The SAS software makes use of basic regression analysis to test the likelihood ratios test to predict the possibility of variables confounding.
Conclusion
The analysis shows that the research made proper application of the statistical tools of 95% percentile interval, which indicated the behaviour of the sample population and therefore, eliminated errors due to statistical omissions. Moreover, the research was able to predict the possibility of the trends for the evaluation of variables of the research by replacing these variables with continuous cases of P-value. Consequently, given the statistical results, percentages and ratios, this analysis finds that the research was able to answer its research question and solve its research problem.
Reference
Jinfu, H., Yang, M. & Kathy, W. 2003, ‘Diet and vitamin or mineral supplements and risk of renal cell carcinoma in Canada’, Cancer Causes & Control, vol. 14, no. 8, pp. 705-14.
