A5 Flashcards
Range of methods used to collect data
-focus groups
-surveys (open or closed questions, interviews)
Observations
Public databases, journals and articles
Carrying out practical investigations
Official statistics
Quantitative data
Is numerical, for example results from a lab experiment
Discrete data
Is numerical and can be counted, for example number of patients
Continuous data
Is numerical and can be measure for example height,mass,length
Qualitative data
Is descriptive, for example a patients medical history
Appropriate ways to present data
-tables
-scatter graphs
-line graphs
-bar charts
-histograms
-pie chart
Categorical data
Is divided into groups or categories, for example male and female, ethnic group, city or country of residence
Surveys
A survey is a good way of gathering information as well as views and opinions
Observation
This can be a good way of gathering data about behaviour which explains its widespread use in healthcare and social science or animal behaviour studies
Public databases, journals and articles
Carrying out practical investigations
Practical investigations in the field of health and healthcare can include lavatory experiments
Official statistics
Organisations collect and publish statistics on disease, public health, health protection and health improvement
Official statistics public health England include are:
-general public health
-cancer
-cardiovascular disease
-COVID-19
-obesity
-mental health
-sexual health
-chronic disease
-end of life care
-immunisation diseases
-diet and physical activity
-child and maternal health
-cardiovascular disease
-alcohol, drug hse
Considerations to make when selecting a range of ways to collect and record data
- data type
- the most appropriate method of data collection
- the most appropriate way to present the information/data
- depth of analysis required
- the intended audience
- storage method
Dependent variable
Y axis
A variable that is being measured
Independent variable
X axis
A variable that changes
Ways to present data
- tables
- graphs and charts (line graph, bar chart, scatter graph, pie chart)
When keeping records of written work we must:
- be able to understand the record
- make sure it’s legible
- make sure it contains enough detail
- ensure it’s a faithful, honest and accurate record of what we did
Reasons why we must pay attention to detail and accuracy in written information/ data
- it may be necessary to comply with legal requirements I.e GDPR
- we may need to limit liability
- we should be able to provide an accurate account of events
- it will help collaboration in integrated working and data sharing
- it helps to ensure accurate analysis of findings
- it can provide evidence needed in support of audit trails
- to help ensure reproducibility of results
Results of investigations includes:
- formulating a clear hypothesis to be tested
- designing an experiment to test that hypothesis
- controlling all variables
- repeating measurements
- performing a statistics, analysis to test the significance of the results
Data protection act 2018
Controls the use of personal information by organisations, businesses or the government
(DPA 2018) Personal data includes:
- your name
- telephone number
- national insurance number
- home address
Other personal data the Act and GDPR includes are:
- ethnic origin
- sexual orientation
- political opinions
- religious beliefs
- physical and mental health
General data protection regulation (GDPR) 2018
It provides a set of principles with which any individual or organisation processing sensitive personal data must comply
6 legitimate reasons why an organisation may process your personal data:
- You have given your consent for them to process your data for a specific purpose
- The processing is necessary to fulfil a contract you have entered into
- There is a legal obligation for them to process your data
- The data processing is necessary to protect you or someone else
- Processing is necessary to perform a task in the public interest or for an official function
- Processing is necessary so that the organisation can pursue its legitimate interests
GDPR includes a number of rights of individuals for example
- The right to be informed about the collection and use of their personal data
- The rights to have access to their personal data
- The rights have incorrect personal data corrected or completed if it is incomplete
- The right to have personal data erased
- The right to restrict the processing of their personal data
- The right to data portability so that they can copy or transfer their personal data between different systems
- The right to object to processing of personal data
The ICO expects organisations to have their own policies in place examples of this include
- Ensuring that data is stored securely
- Restricting the use of mobile devices
- Preventing potential conflicts of interest
How to ensure confidentiality when using screens to retrieve information
- Computer should always have a password protected access
- Log out of a system when leaving the screen
- Be aware of your surroundings when dealing with personal data
- Ensure you have a secure Internet connections
Positive use of social media
- Awareness campaigns and disseminating information
- Correcting misinformation
- Crisis communication and monitoring

Other uses of social media and the health and science sectors include:
- Monitoring public health
- Data gathering
- Establishing patient support networks
- Recruitment
- Marketing by commercial and healthcare organisation
Restrictions of the use of social media
- Do not post sensitive or personal information about yourself or others
- Maintain professional boundaries when interacting with individuals outside the organisation - Don’t share and accurate information
The advantages of using IT systems to record, retrieve and store information
- Ease of access, sharing and transferring data
- The speed of data analysis
- Greater data security
- Standardisation of data
- The ability to have continuous monitoring of data - Cost and space saving
- Integrated working, making for greater collaboration between colleagues
Risks of using IT systems to record, retrieve and store information
- Not being secure enough
- Data security breaches
- Hackers
What to do if information is not stored securely
If you find information is not stored securely you must secure the information straight away. This could be by storing the paper document in a file or logging out of a computer. You must then record and report the incident to the designated person. 
How security measures protect data stored by organisations
- Controlling access to information
- Allowing only authorise staff into specific work areas
- Requiring regular and up-to-date staff training and complying with data security
- Making regular back ups of files
- Using up-to-date cyber security strategies
- Ensuring that back up data is stored externally
How new technology is applied in the recording and reporting of information and data
- AL/machine learning
- Mobile technology and applications
- Cloud based systems
- Digital information management systems
- Data visualisation tools
AL/ machine learning
Machine learning is a branch of Artificial learning that uses computers to imitate the ways in which humans learn
Mobile technology and applications
Smartphones and high speed mobile data networks such as 4G and 5G mean that devices can be connected to the internet almost anywhere in countries with more developed economies
Cloud based systems
Cloud computing means the availability of computers and computer resources especially Santa storage without active management by the user
Digital information management systems
Data visualisation tools
