In this information age, where data are readily accessible and there is both a great demand for
accelerated research projects and strict limitations on research funding, using existing data makes
sense. Data used in this way are called secondary data; they come in many forms and contain
information on just about anything —depending on who collected the information in the first place,
and why.
As a health professional, you have access to a wide range of secondary data sources, including
government agencies (such as, the Census Bureau or the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) and private sources, including local health service providers. Global and international
data are available from familiar sources, such as the World Health Organization and the United
Nations. In addition, nearly every nation maintains statistics on social, economic, and
environmental indicators, which contain a wealth of health information.
As a member of the Walden community, you have access to the Inter-University Consortium for
Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the world’s largest archival database of secondary data.
You also have access to the Social Change Impact Report (SCIR) data sets—a Walden-owned
database. There are also a number of sources and tutorials available to you through Walden’s Office
of Research and Doctoral Quality.
No matter the topic—be it vaccination rates, women’s access to mammography, or chronic lung
disease—you can probably find an existing secondary data source related to the specific population
health problem you are investigating. The next steps are to identify the variables in the data source
that you would need to analyze to examine the association of interest and to assess the validity of
the data source. For this Assignment, you delve into these issues in greater detail.
TO PREPARE
- Consider a variety of population health problems and then select one of professional
interest on which to focus for this Assignment. - Explore three data sources (data sets) presented in the Learning Resources that could aid
you in describing the population and magnitude of the problem you selected. Consider the
strengths and limitations of each data source.
THE ASSIGNMENT
In 4 pages (not including title page and references), analyze the data sources you selected by
addressing the following: - Briefly identify the population health problem you selected.
- Identify each data set you selected.
- Identify the variables in each data set you would need to examine the association of interest.
- Assess the validity of each data set. Has it been used for prior studies/publications?
- Explain challenges you might face as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or
securing permission to use it.
Criteria Ratings Pts
In 3–4 pages (not
including title page
and references),
analyze the data
sources you
selected by
addressing the
following: Briefly
identify the
population health
problem you
selected.
20 to >17.0 pts
Excellent
The response
accurately, clearly,
and concisely
identifies the
selected population
health problem.
17 to >15.0 ptsGood
The response
accurately
identifies the
selected population
health problem.
15 to >12.0 ptsFair
The responsesomewhat
inaccurately or
vaguely identifiesthe
selected population
healthproblem.
12 to >0 ptsPoor
The response
inaccurately and
vaguely identifies
the selected
population health
problem, or it is
missing.
20 pts
Identify each data set
you selected. Identify
the variablesin each
data set you would
need to examine the
association of
interest.
40 to >35.0 pts
Excellent
The response
accurately, clearly,
and concisely
identifies each dataset
………. the response
accurately, clearly,
and concisely
identifies the
variables in each
data set needed to
examine the
association of
interest.
35 to >31.0 ptsGood
The response
accurately
identifies each data
set……The
response accurately
identifies the
variables in each data
set needed toexamine
the association of
interest.
31 to >27.0 ptsFair
The responsesomewhat
inaccurately or
vaguely identifies each
data set ……………. The
response somewhat
inaccurately or
vaguely identifies the
variables in eachdata
set needed to examine
the
association of
interest.
27 to >0 ptsPoor
The response
inaccurately and
vaguely identifies
each data set, or it
is missing….
The response
inaccurately and
vaguely identifies
the variables in
each data set
needed to
examine the
association of
interest, or it is
missing.
40 pts
Assess the validity of
each data set. Has it
been used forprior
studies/publications?
40 to >35.0 pts
Excellent
An accurate and
detailed explanationof
the validity of each
data set is provided,
including whether it
has beenused in prior
studies/publications.
35 to >31.0 ptsGood
An accurate
explanation of the
validity of each dataset
is provided,
including whether ithas
been used in prior
studies/publications.
31 to >27.0 ptsFair
A somewhat
inaccurate or
vague explanation
of the validity of each
data set and whether
it has beenused in
prior
studies/publications
are provided.
27 to >0 ptsPoor
An inaccurate and
vague, or
incomplete
explanation of the
validity of each data
set and whether it has
beenused in prior
studies/publicationsis
provided, or it is
missing.
40 pts
Criteria Ratings Pts
Explain challenges
you might face as a
researcher in
identifying a proper
data set or securing
permission to use it.
35 to >31.0 pts
Excellent
An accurate and
detailed explanation
of potential
challenges as a
researcher in
identifying a proper
data set or securing
permission to use it
is provided.
31 to >27.0 ptsGood
An accurate explanation
of
potential challengesas a
researcher in
identifying a proper
data set or securing
permission to use it is
provided.
27 to >24.0 pts
Fair
A somewhat
inaccurate or vague
explanation of
potential challengesas
a researcher in
identifying a proper
data set or securing
permission to use it is
provided.
24 to >0 ptsPoor
An inaccurateand
vague
explanation of
potential
challenges as a
researcher in
identifying a
proper data set or
securing
permission to use it
is provided, or it is
missing.
35 pts
Written Expression
and Formatting—
Paragraph
Development and
Organization:
Paragraphs make
clear points that
support welldeveloped ideas,
flow logically, and
demonstrate
continuity of ideas.
Sentences are
carefully focused—
neither long and
rambling nor short
and lacking substance.
A clear and
comprehensive
purpose statement and
introduction is
provided which
delineates all
required criteria.
5 to >4.0 pts
Excellent
Paragraphs and
sentences follow
writing standards
forflow, continuity,
and clarity A
clear and
comprehensive
purpose statement,
introduction, and
conclusion is
provided which
delineates all
required criteria.
4 to >3.5 pts Good
Paragraphs and
sentences follow
writing standards for
flow, continuity,and
clarity 80% ofthe
time….
Purpose,
introduction, and
conclusion of the
assignment is stated,
yet is briefand not
descriptive.
3.5 to >3.0 pts
Fair Paragraphs
and
sentences follow
writing standards for
flow, continuity, and
clarity 60%–79% of
the time …… Purpose,
introduction, and
conclusion of the
assignment is vagueor
off topic.
3 to >0 pts Poor
Paragraphs and
sentences follow
writing standards
for flow,
continuity, and
clarity < 60% of the time ……No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided. 5 pts Criteria Ratings Pts Written Expression and Formatting— English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation 5 to >4.0 pts
Excellent
Uses correct
grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation withno
errors.
4 to >3.5 ptsGood
Contains a few (1
or 2) grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation errors.
3.5 to >3.0 ptsFair
Contains several (3
or 4) grammar, spelling,
and punctuation errors.
3 to >0 ptsPoor
Contains many (≥ 5)
grammar, spelling, and
punctuation errors that
interfere with the
reader’s understanding.
5 pts
Written Expression and
Formatting: The paper
follows correctAPA
format for title page,
headings, font,
spacing, margins,
indentations, page
numbers,
parenthetical/in-text
citations, and
reference list.
5 to >4.0 pts
Excellent
Uses correct
APAformat with
no errors.
4 to >3.5 pts
Good
Contains a few
(1or 2) APA
format errors.
3.5 to >3.0 pts
Fair
Contains several (3or
4) APA format errors.
3 to >0 ptsPoor
Contains many (≥5) APA
format errors.
5 pts
Total Points: 15