WEEK 4 DISCUSSION PART 1 - Essay Example

Week 4 Discussion Part Medicaid fraud is an overwhelming problem that has affected the US healthcare system. The phenomenon has resulted in loss ofbillions of dollars from the public healthcare kitty. Due to the impacts of Medicaid fraud, concerned parties are exploring possible remedies to contain the problem (Krause, 2010). In addition, authorities are interested in establishing the magnitude of the fraud and the factors that promote fraud. The purpose of conducting the research will be to provide statistical evidence that prove the magnitude of the problem.

The study will explore the reasons or the factors that promote Medicaid fraud through a quantitative approach. In order to quantify the magnitude of Medicaid fraud in the US, the study will be conducted across a wide range of participants. The study will target people who have participated in Medicaid fraud or who have been affected by the scheme. Throughout the study, anonymity of the participants will be maintained unless instructed otherwise. In addition, the study will also target professional in the medical and legislative sectors who have facilitated the scheme either directly or indirectly.

The study will be conducted through both open ended and closed ended questionnaires. Research assistant will conduct manual interviews and filling of questionnaires, however, electronic (online) questionnaires will be available. In either of the data collection methods, anonymity of the participants will be maintained unless they recommend otherwise. The research site will be identified through a random process that will be highly inclusive and conclusive. The selection will target both upper and middle class Americans.

In addition, the study will have a professional phase whereby the participants will be drawn from both the medical and legal professionals. The study will have a quantitative segment that will capture the magnitude of the phenomenon. On the other hand, the qualitative segment of the study will focus on the reasons or factors that contribute to Medicaid fraud among Americans. In the quantitative segment of the study, the researcher will be interested in identifying the magnitude of losses incurred in the health sector due to the scheme.

Financial loses will be identified as the dependent variable while time will be identified as an independent variable. The quantitative segment will also be concerned with the variation of fraud across different social classes. Thus, different income classes will be identified as independent variables while financial losses will represent the dependent variable. In this scenario, the researcher will assume the following first order equation A = k C + h, where A = Amount of fraud, C = income Class k and h are constants.

On the other hand, the qualitative segment of the research will respond to the research questions through a social approach (Creswell, 2008). This will enable the researcher to establish reasons or factors that promote Medicaid fraud. The research will combine quantitative and qualitative approach to enhance the credibility of the research. In addition, both methods will provide complementary results that are essential for further analysis and studies. Quality quantitative statements will respond to the questions of why people engage in Medicaid fraud and the reasons that promote Medicaid fraud (Creswell, 2008).

Results from the quantitative segment should have a direct correlation with the quantitative results. At the completion of the research, the researcher will expect credible data that correlate with the real situation.ReferencesCreswell, J. W. (2008). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Krause, J. H. (2010). Following the Money in Health Care Fraud: Reflections on a Modern-Day Yellow Brick Road. American Journal of Law & Medicine, 36(2/3), 343-369.