Discussion: Research Question, and Observational vs. Experimental Design

Overview

In this discussion assignment, each member of your group will develop one new research question. The question should build on the aims and scope of the human papillomavirus (HPV) investigations addressed in the empirical literature. Each group member will also explain whether an observational or experimental study design is most appropriate to answer their new question.

PICOT Framework

Developing clear, concise, and detailed quantitative research requires identifying the population to be studied. It also requires identifying dependent and independent variables and research design elements such as methods and statistical analysis. The PICOT research question framework was first introduced by Richardson et al. (1995). Researchers use the PICOT framework to construct questions to address important elements of a study. These elements include the population to be studied, the expected outcomes, and the time it takes to achieve each outcome. With these elements, the framework is more commonly used in clinical research and evidence-based studies.

The sample research question below illustrates how to write research questions based on the PICOT framework and its elements.

Question: Are adult females between the ages 18 and 28 with a history of partial HPV vaccination (series) uptake at increased risk for HPV-related cancers compared to females between the ages 18 and 28 with a history of complete HPV vaccination series uptake?

The format question category variables are as follows:

P: Population being studied: Females I: Indicator or intervention: Females with partial HPV vaccination uptake series C: Comparison group: Females with completed vaccination uptake series O: Outcome of interest: Higher risk for HPV-related cancers T: Timeframe of interest: Between the ages of 18 and 28

Richardson, W. S., Wilson, M. C., Nishikawa, J., & Hayward, R. S. (1995). The well-built clinical question: A key to evidence-based decisions. American College of Physicians Journal Club, 123(3), A12-3. https://doi.org/10.7326/ACPJC-1995-123-3-A12

Prompt

Before you post in this discussion, review the module resources and read the following health scenario:

HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses that are sexually transmitted and affect many women during their reproductive lifetime. HPV is contagious and can spread from person to person via intimate skin-to-skin contact. The virus commonly spreads through sexual contact. Some strains of HPV can cause cancer, but a vaccine is available for the strains that cause most of these cancers. In other words, a vaccine can prevent about 91% of HPV-related cancers. Researchers continue to evaluate HPV vaccines’ real-life effectiveness and make recommendations for community-level and school-based prevention programming.

Then review the research studies in the Supporting Materials section as examples of HPV investigations published in literature.

In your initial discussion post, address the following items:

1. Develop one new research question that builds on the aim and scope of either study investigation of HPV.
   1. Most empirical studies communicate the research question in the body of the article. Read the two studies by Chen et al. (2021) and Enerly et al. (2019). Critically analyze the two studies and identify the research questions they each investigated.
   2. Your new research question should be a unique question that further investigates a health issue discussed in one or both articles.
2. Explain whether you would use an observational or experimental research design to investigate HPV and justify the selection.
   1. For both articles, look at the methodology sections. Identify the research design employed and provide examples from the studies to justify your study design selection for your research question.

For your response to peers, perform a critical analysis comparing your initial post to peers’ posts. Provide specific feedback to peers on the research question and selected research design, supporting your response.

Consider the study designs, strengths and weaknesses of design approaches, and specific feedback on its strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Supporting Materials

The following resources support your work on this assignment:

Research Study: Promoting HPV Vaccination on Social Media: Interactive Effect of Threat, Efficacy and Social Cues This study explores the effects of using social media in promoting HPV vaccination.

Research Study: An Observational Study Comparing HPV Prevalence and Type of Distribution Between HPV-Vaccinated and -Unvaccinated Girls After Introduction of School-Based HPV Vaccination in Norway

This study assesses the outcomes of a school-based HPV vaccination program in Norway.