Research study on treatment for acute otitis media - Assignment Example

Research study on treatment for acute otitis media Tahtinen et al ed the article, ‘A placebo-controlled trial of antimicrobial treatment for acute otitis media,’ in which they undertook diversified measures for addressing validity and reliability issues. Using a randomized approach in sampling is one of the measures that the authors undertook in addressing reliability and validity issues. The sampling strategy eliminates bias by offering equal chance of an individual’s selection into a sample.

Randomized sampling approach also separates researchers’ interest, in a particular sample space segment, from the research process. The sampling approach may however suffer from threats of unrepresentative sample but the researchers addressed this reliability threat through application of a large sample space. Implementing a double blind approach to the study is another measure that the researchers undertook to address validity and reliability issues, core to which is prejudice into bias. Double blind scope however eliminates such a prejudice from research participants and the researcher.

Another measure that the researchers implemented towards ensuring validity and reliability was using an experimental design in which the difference between the experimental group and the placebo group validates treatment effect. Lack of such an experimental set up induces uncertainty as to effects of independent variable. In addition to the double blind approach, the researchers ensured independence of the study from their influence by contracting an independent party to implement the study, and initiative that managed researcher bias at the data collection process towards validity.

use of an experimental design, application of a double blind approach, randomization, and using an independent party to implement the study are therefore measures that the authors undertook to address validity and reliability issues (Tahtinen et al., 2011). ReferenceTahtinen, P. et al. (2011). A placebo-controlled trial of antimicrobial treatment for acute otitis media. The New England Journal of Medicine 364(2).