For this analysis, I have chosen two health-related data sources local (2012 STD Data Summary) and national (Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2013). The first one includes information about sexually transmitted infections only in Georgia. The source itself is also used to encourage the citizens to get free STD testing (Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness par. 3). To underline the issue, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides everybody with the ability to get to know more about this public health issue. It includes the statistics relevant to the 2008-2012 years (The Georgia Department of Public Health 2).
The second source presents the statistics reporting sexually transmitted disease data throughout the United States. Thus, it includes the national profile, in which the information about Atlanta can be found. In the Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2013, the data shows the current health condition of the population of the whole country to assist health care providers in the successful prevention of infections. It also aims to encourage people to make healthier choices that are likely to protect their health and the health of their families (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 5).
The data is to be valid and integral to receive accurate results. It is crucial for any research, especially the ones connected with healthcare, because they can be used as the basis of clinical trials (Rosenberg 48). The data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health includes the data about the most common diseases, which is represented by identifying the years. It looks complete and sound, as consider numerous variables that are decently explained. In particular, the tables present the rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, P&S syphilis regarding a number of cases as well as sex and race of individuals. There are several footnotes that provide specifications.
The tables and figures are followed by summarizing the most important information (Georgia Department of Public Health 1). The data presented in Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2013 is more expanded. It includes numerous tables and figures made to provide detailed information regarding diseases, locations, and individuals. It includes background, overview, and summarizing of the issues. The report refers to the “state and territorial health departments, sexually transmitted disease control programs, and public health laboratories that provided surveillance data to CDC” (U.S. Department of Health And Human Services 2). Thus, the data gained from the chosen sources occurs to be valid and integral. Moreover, the ability to check is of advantage and makes individuals rely on it.
McCaston suggests utilizing the information from the researches so that they fill in the gaps present in each of them to overcome the limitations of the secondary data. It means that the studies are to have a common independent variable and different independent ones. Moreover, “analysis of additional key data and indicators can help us acquire more explanation as to why a problem exists” (McCaston 6). Thus, the source will provide integral and reliable data.
To select a data set, one is to consider several points. Starting the selection, it is important to determine “appropriate data type, source, and instrument(s) that allow investigators to adequately answer research questions” (“Data Selection” par. 2). It depends on the purpose of the research and its nature. Cost and convenience often occur to be the integrity issues during the selection. The integrity of the data is determined by the connection of one data to another. It is to be easily traced and create a whole with other information so that no gaps are left.
Works Cited
Data Selection. n.d. Web.
Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness. n.d. STD Test Statistics in Atlanta, GA. Web.
McCaston, Katherine 2005, Tips for Collecting, Reviewing, and Analyzing Secondary Data. Web.
Rosenberg, Michael. The Agile Approach to Adaptive Research, Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print.
The Georgia Department of Public Health 2013, 2012 STD Data Summary. Web.
U.S. Department of Health And Human Services 2014, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2013. Web.