7th Aug, 2022
Wayne State College
Question
Asked 18th Feb, 2015
How do you exactly define study duration in Public health Research?
When we mention that Study duration was 4 months does that mean it was time taken to complete data collection or it takes account the time since inception of the protocol or design of study to end of data collection
IF possible can anyone attach reference to it
Most recent answer
I think it is not just the data collection. The study begins at the beginning of the experiment, intervention, or treatment. So the study lasts from the beginning of the involvement of the participants to the conclusion of the involvement of the participants. The analysis comes later, after the study concludes.
All Answers (7)
I would say it depends. A program I participated in about risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, its duration was considered as from the first day when field research was conducted to the last day it was finished. Because population behavior at that exact duration is our main concern. Just my personal opinion.
1 Recommendation
The study duration is of data collection starting from commencement of data collection till end.
In this regard, the pre-trial preparation or pre-study preparation as well as statistical analysis and reporting are not considered.
For example, calibration of an instrument to measure some biochemical tests before the trial started.
I would give example of my publication https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266148989_Efficacy_of_homeopathic_intervention_in_subclinical_hypothyroidism_with_or_without_autoimmune_thyroiditis_in_children_an_exploratory_randomized_control_study
The study duration was 2008-2011 during which we collected data, the statistical analysis and publication took time. In 2008, we started collecting data and till 2011 the data collection continued.
Before data collection, there was a period of few months during which we procured kits, contacted schools etc.
2 Recommendations
Hi Ashish,
I think a lot depends on the type of the study and its aim.
In a simple observational or interventional study the duration would ideally start when the first patient was randomized or when the first patient gave the consent to participate. However, if a screening was conducted prior to recruitment of the patient, the study would start as soon as the screening started. That is to say that the study may be considered started as soon as the first step in the study protocol starts.
However, certain studies may be composite descriptive-analytical-experimental studies, eg. a study where we initially look for the needs of factory workers and then introduce an intervention and evaluate it. For such a study the duration would start as soon as you get the first consent of the participant for observation and extends till the last patient under intervention leaves the study - either when the end point is reached or when he opts out of the the study - whatever.
Certain studies aim at formulating a protocol such articles may be published as the study may still be going on. In such cases the proposed study duration of the proposed study should be stated as in the attached article.
Hope it helps.
1 Recommendation
It depends upon the Data that how much the Time is consuming in collecting A huge amount of data.. Basically most of th people do the researches on large scale.. On bog sample, On large Population so definitely it will be time consuming to complete it...
1 Recommendation
I think it is not just the data collection. The study begins at the beginning of the experiment, intervention, or treatment. So the study lasts from the beginning of the involvement of the participants to the conclusion of the involvement of the participants. The analysis comes later, after the study concludes.
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