Question 18

Question

Thembi is tasked with gathering data on the economic impact of malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. To avoid irrelevant results, what research strategy should she implement?

Use a single search engine to maintain consistency in search results.

Rely on economic databases and avoid medical databases to keep the focus on economic impact.

Utilise multiple databases with search terms tailored to economic aspects of malaria, employing filters like 'economic impact' AND 'malaria' AND 'Sub-Saharan Africa.'

Search broadly without filters to ensure no data is missed, even if not immediately relevant.



If the answer is 3, indicate why 2 is incorrect.


Risk of Information Overload


Limitation of Scope


Omission of Interrelated Data

Answer 1

The correct answer is 3: Utilise multiple databases with search terms tailored to economic aspects of malaria, employing filters like 'economic impact' AND 'malaria' AND 'Sub-Saharan Africa.'

Explanation of why 2 is incorrect: Rely on economic databases and avoid medical databases to keep the focus on economic impact.

Omission of Interrelated Data:

By relying solely on economic databases and excluding medical databases, Thembi risks omitting critical information that may provide insights into the economic impact of malaria. Malaria is a health issue that affects economies; thus, medical databases may contain relevant studies and reports that highlight the relationship between health outcomes and economic consequences. For example, data on healthcare costs, morbidity, mortality rates, and productivity losses from malaria can only be found in medical databases. These interrelated aspects are essential for understanding the full scope of malaria's economic impact, and neglecting them can lead to an incomplete analysis.

Additionally, focusing exclusively on economic databases limits the variety of perspectives and research findings that could inform a comprehensive assessment of malaria’s impacts, reinforcing why a broader and more integrated approach is necessary.