Scenario:
A researcher wants to know why individuals in Community A have a higher rate of a rare form of cancer when
compared to those living in Community B. To find out the reasons for the differences in cancer rates in these
two communities, the investigator surveyed residents about their lifestyle, noted the types of businesses that
were present in the community and searched medical records. The researcher found that the headquarters for
the Toxico Chemical Plant is located in Community A, there is a higher rate of cigarette smoking in this
community and residents tended to delay or skip going to the doctor for an annual checkup. In Community B,
the largest employer was a department store and on average, residents did not smoke as much as residents
from Community A. However, like individuals from Community A, Community B residents tended to delay or
skip their annual checkup with their doctor.
Instructions:
Read the scenario above and answer the following questions:
What makes this a descriptive study?
What type of data collection method was used in this scenario? What type of collection methods are usually
used in descriptive studies?
Why did the researcher collect information about the lifestyle of community residents? What about the type of
businesses present in each community? Medical records?
Can the investigator establish that the chemical plant and cigarette smoking are the cause for the higher rate of
cancer among those in Community A?
Can the investigator establish that lower smoking rates and the absence of a chemical factory explains the
lower rate of cancer among those in Community B?

Sample Solution

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