Health Burden and Costs of Obesity - Article Example

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH STUDY Quantitative Study Study Citation: Konnopka, A., Bödemann, M., & König, H. (2011). Health burden and costs of obesity and overweight in germany. The European Journal of Health Economics : HEPAC, 12(4), 345-52. Research problem: the lack of very comprehensive studies explaining the links between the social effects and costs of deaths from obesity and related complications as well as overweight as well as related complications informed the conduction of the study. There existed the gap in literature in the subject hence the need to conduct such a study in efforts towards bridging the gap and contributing to the related pool of knowledge already in literature. Besides, the lack of any tangible evidence of the results of such health conditions on individuals and the society especially in matters of costs presents a major problem in policy formulation as well as in resource allocation in an economy. The main problem, which was the reason of the study, was that of lack of such factual evidence through past studies on the facts of the health conditions within a society. Purpose of the research: The main aim that the study had was estimating the health burden that Germany as a country bore caused by the morbidity as well as mortality associated with obesity and related complications as seen from the perspective of the society. Besides, the study focused on estimating the deaths that occurred within Germany in 2002 being related to obesity as well as the overweight related complications. Moreover, the study was to establish the costs incurred in the country from such deaths that would result and this would be gotten from inpatient records, out patient records. Rehabilitation as well as non-medical costs were also on the check as direct costs while indirect costs were evaluated from sick offs, and early retirement costs among others. Research question(s) and/or hypotheses: The research study format fails to cite distinctly the questions guiding the study as well as the hypothesis under which the study was conducted. This therefore leaves the reader with the liberty of evaluating the study report with presumed line of argument as not guided by clear-cut hypothesis and or questions. Data collection technique and instrumentation: The data that was collected from the office of statistics in Germany (German Federal Statistics) and therefore survey method was used as the most appropriate tool for collecting data (Konnopka, Bo¨demann & Ko¨nig, 2011). The use of the survey to collect the data from the secondary sources was effective as the study was to use primary data for the year 2002 where collecting the data through other tools would not be possible. Besides, the adoption of the tool was necessitated by the nature of the research as being quantitative and hence factual empirical data for the analysis was necessary. Data analysis approach: The analysis of the data involved calculation of population-attributable fractions, which were stratified on age, as well as gender through which the mortality as well as morbidity of persons on overweight and obesity causes was determined. From the statistics generated on attributable deaths, the study established attributable YPLL (years of potential life lost) as well as the QALY (quality adjusted life years) for the population. Besides, the analysis involved relative risk (from studies in US) and routine statistics from German. The findings that 2.1% in the economic expenditure on health in Germany for the year was on direct as well as indirect costs associated with obesity as well as overweight complications in the country. Evaluate logical flow and coherence across the multiple elements of the study: The study presentation follows a logical flow in ideas and research steps, which aided in effectiveness in arriving to the conclusions as they are. The study estimated the deaths attributed to obesity as well as the overweight complications, evaluated the YPLL as well as the QALY on other diseases that are associated with overweight and or obesity. The direct and direct costs calculated were also very relevant in the overall analysis of the theme under study and this affirms coherence too. The flow of the study in the various subtopics represented as well as the general format of the research paper presents quite a logical flow. However, the study lacks distinctive subheadings on questions and hypothesis guiding the study hence showing some weaknesses in a general research outlook. Steps to ensure reliability and validity of research, analysis and results:  The study adopted various tools and models that in this analysis appear to be strategically chosen in order to ensure validity as well as reliability on the study findings. The prevalence-based approach used among other tools has been in use even within other studies and hence would be more reliable and trustworthy within such a study. The study also executed a sensitivity evaluation for the result gotten to verify and ensure sturdiness of the results. Ninety-five percent confidence levels in testing the coefficients as well as defining a discounting rate for future costing was equally strategic in ensuring the soundness of the results established. Besides, the friction costing method used in analyzing indirect costs and use of work costs for valuation of unpaid works would also ensure the reliability of results gotten. Qualitative Study Study Citation: Ashworth, C. J. (2012). Marketing and organisational development in e-SMEs: Understanding survival and sustainability in growth-oriented and comfort-zone pure-play enterprises in the fashion retail industry. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 8(2), 165-201. Research problem: The emerging trends in retail industry have seen the rise of electronic retailing even for the SME. The main problem that explained the conducting of the study was the need to have an explorative study on the organizational development within the fashion industry. Besides, the research study shows that there has been a break in the literature on the theme and hence the need to carry out the study to contribute towards bridging the gap as pointed. The study therefore provides the first of its king study on online independent and successful pure-play market for the clothing, footwear as well as other categories of accessories that are gaining prominence. Purpose of the research: Among other objectives and aims that formed the basis of this study was exploration, evaluation as well as conceptualization of such processes as are involved within ‘e-retail’ organizational development with the ‘pure-play’ enterprises which operates within the clothing, accessories as well as footwear sectors. The study also aimed at assessing the general strategies that the ‘small and medium enterprises’ within fashion e-retail industry adopt to build pure-play enterprises that are sustainable. Finally, the study had the aim of presenting a context of the findings to be gotten in relation to such other findings from other past study literatures. The study was therefore to be comprehensive in addressing the three aims as outlined. Research question(s): the study adopts the format of not using questions to guide in the study as is the case with conventional formats of a study. This therefore explains that this study lacked well defined questions as guidelines but one would always guess the issues being studied even without actual formulation of questions. Data collection technique and instrumentation: The main tool adopted for collection of the necessary information/data was the interviews, which were meant for the managers to the firms. Key persons within the organizations such as the managers were targeted for the data to be collected through the interview method. This was informed by the perceived effectiveness in use of direct correspondence between the researcher and the manager to such firms. Collecting factual qualitative data such as personal opinions as is the case of the study would be best suited if interviews are used. Through the interview, the researcher is able to establish any matter arising while at the same time helping the respondents in having time to be guided while one feels the study. Data analysis approach: The study approaches analysis on a qualitative method which is based on the perspective of social constructionist theory. The thematic qualitative studies that the analysis of the study adopted ensured that higher credibility and trustworthiness of the individual e-retail shop within the study. Among other findings by the study is that enterprises should invest in the line of technology (Ashworth, 2012). It is noted however that coding and qualitative decoding of the findings gotten from the field presents the main tool to use for analysis and conclusions within the qualitative study. Evaluate logical flow and coherence across the multiple elements of the study: Just as is the case with conventional research study, the study presentation follows a logical flow in ideas and research steps, which aided in effectiveness in arriving to the conclusions as they are. The study’s chronological development in the various subtopics represented as well as the general format of the study paper presents quite a rational course. The study on how e-SMEs survive and are sustained through organizational approach reveals higher coherence in regard to convectional research study. Among other findings of the study was that small firms like the SMEs face challenges in adopting internet for marketing purposes. Moreover, the findings of the study on uniformity of business firms show that the e-SMEs have distinct features against the common retail outlets. Besides, it is noted that the general format of the paper through subheadings is effective in creation of a logical flow of ideas. Steps to ensure credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability of research, analysis, and results: The study adopted various tools that together ensured the credibility of the study is not compromised. For instance, the interview employed higher flexibility as well as open-ended formats in order to ensure that emergent features in data collection and analysis would be included. The study also follows the ‘conventional’ and predetermined qualitative study format which would equally contribute towards creating trust in a study by the reader while at the same time helping in identifying possible errors. Crystallization as a principle was also embraced within the study to ensure that transferability of the multidimensional facts and findings would be guaranteed. This would therefore show that the study would be considered credible, dependable as well as transparent for effective conclusions from the findings. References Ashworth, C. J. (2012). Marketing and organisational development in e-SMEs: Understanding survival and sustainability in growth-oriented and comfort-zone pure-play enterprises in the fashion retail industry. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 8(2), 165-201. Konnopka, A., Bödemann, M., & König, H. (2011). Health burden and costs of obesity and overweight in germany. The European Journal of Health Economics : HEPAC, 12(4), 345-52. Read More