Research Topics
Two research articles are discussed and they include an article by Sinha, R. (2011) which aims at establishing whether traditional tribes and caste groups have lower body mass index compared to other ethnic groups. The other article is by Weber, E. (1999) which analysis the difference in the perception and preference of risk across cultural groups.
Research objectives
The research objective in this article by Sinha, R. (2011) was to compare differences in BMI with reference to age. Weber, E. (1999) research objective was to establish the lreationship that exist between culture and the perception and preference of risk.
Theory or Hypothesis formulated
The hypothesis tested by Sinha, R. (2011) aim at establishing whether BMI increases as age increases from 20 to 49 and declines as the age increases to more than 50 years. The hypothesis tested in the study by Weber, E. (1999) aim at establishing whether American students were more risk aversive than Chinese students.
Background of researchers
Sinha, R. (2011) hold a PhD from the university of Delhi in India, she was a lecturer at the university of Delhi and is now working as a lecturer for masters programs at the IGNOU university coordinating the human growth and development course and physical anthropology course. Weber, E. (1999) is a lecturer at Columbia University in New York and he holds a doctorate degree, which was awarded, at Harvard university.
Representativeness
The article by Sinha, R. (2011) analyses the Tangkhul tribe and the sample represents males from different age groups, this means that this study gender representative is not considered and cultural differences are not considered. In the second article, Weber, E. (1999) uses a representative sample whereby gender and individuals from different backgrounds are included, and the sample represents a group in the US and a group from China.
Randomness
For the study by Sinha, R. (2011), the sample was not random and the sample was selected from a certain geographical region, participants who volunteered were studied and therefore a random sample was not drawn, the study used a convenient sample. Weber, E. (1999) uses a random sample to come up with an appropriate sample size for both groups studied.
Samples size
Sinha, R. (2011) samples totaled to 257 males from the Tangkhul tribe, this sample was drawn from a sample of 146,000 Tangkhul tribe populations. In the study by Weber, E. (1999), A secondary sample of 300 participants is selected in this study which aims at collecting information regarding investment options to a given set of investment.
Content validity
Sinha, R. (2011) content is valid in that the height and the body mass of each participant was measured, the author also discusses the relationship between BMI and age which is the main objective of this research study. In the article by Weber, E. (1999), there is content validity in that the article highlights previous studies.
Face validity
The tests undertaken by Sinha, R. (2011) aim at measuring differences in BMI across age groups, the data collected gives this research study face validity. In the article by Weber, E. (1999), there is face validity in that the article formulates a regression model aimed at determining risk perceptions and preferences with reference to cultural difference.
Reliability
Sinha, R. (2011) results are reliable in that the sample size is large and analysis methods were appropriate for this study. Results from Weber, E. (1999) study are reliable; the article highlights previous studies and clearly reports the results of the study.
Interpretation of data
Sinha, R. (2011) grouped the data into five age groups, the average BMI and blood pressure is determined and compared across groups. Results show that Blood pressure increases with an increase in BMI, also that BMI increased with age but declined as age increased beyond 50 years. Weber, E. (1999) uses regression analysis to interpreate the results of the data.
Conclusion
Other studies have shown the relationship between BMI and mortality associated with heart disease and hypertension. This shows that the conclusion by Sinha, R. (2011) is in line with these findings that there is a relationship between BMI and BP. From Weber, E. (1999), other authors have concluded that vulture influences the perceptions of risk.
Why the researcher choose this topic
The main reason why the Sinha, R. (2011) chose this topic was to highlight the prevalence of obesity and its relation to heart disease. Weber, (1999) chose this topic to highlight factors that may affect risk taking in investments.
Source of information
Sinha, R. (2011) retrieved information from previous studies and undertook an experiment to get information regarding BMI and BP. Weber, E. (1999) uses questionnaires to collect information about risk taking behavior.
Professional experience
Sinha, R. (2011) has undertaken previous studies with other professionals in the field of Anthropology, and this is one of the latest research studies she has published over the years. Weber, E. (1999) is a lecturer at Columbia university having attained a doctorate degree from Harvard university.
Expertise when they earned their degree
Sinha, R. (2011) learnt anthropology and over time gained a masters and doctorate degree, Weber, E. (1999) on the other hand learnt psychology and over time awarded a masters and doctorate degree.
Researcher’s degree
At the time of the study, Sinha, R. held a doctorate degree awarded by the University of Delhi, she also earned her bachelors and masters degree from the same university. Weber, E. (1999) at the time of this research study was a doscotrate degree holder.
How central population responded
The results of this study highlights the importance of BMI on the BP of an individual, the response of the population toward these findings would be initiate ways in which to reduce their BMI and reduce risks of heart diseases and hypertension. Weber, E. (1999) results show how various groups in the society can make decisions that affect investments.
References
Sinha, R. “Association between BMI, Blood Pressure, and Age: Study among Tangkhul Naga Tribal Males of Northeast India”. Journal of Anthropology. Vol 2 (1), (2011): Pp 6 to pp 12.
Weber, E. “Models and mosaics: Investigating cross-cultural differences in risk perception and risk preference” Psvchonomic bulleting and review journal. Vol. 6(4), (1999): pp 611 to 617.
