The Outcomes of Neural Stem Cell Transplantation and Localized Drug Therapy on Patients

Suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury

John Doe

Panther ID: 1212121

Assignment #3

Florida International University

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Method

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a resonating issue here in the U.S. and it comes as no

surprise that it has increased in awareness as one of the nation’s most prevalent injury related

deaths within the last 15 years (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association [ASHA],

2009). It is an illness of great importance due to its association of injuries related to military

combat operations, both the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veteran Affairs (VA) are

recognized leaders in TBI care and are in constant joint health practices with research based

universities such as The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and The University of

Michigan Health System [UMHS] (Dennis, 2013). My methods paper will incorporate a holistic

overview of the overall effectiveness of Neural Stem Cell (NSC) engraftment on TBI patients

based on publications reported within scholarly journals. The overall efficacy of treatment will

be compared to many control groups that serve as a basis to see if NSC outcomes lessen or

diminish possible injuries, as a disclaimer, findings within TBI based research do not support nor

condone that there is a cure to secondary injuries such as comas, neuronal cell death, loss of

motor or cognitive function, paralysis, or even death due to TBI. Simply put, this research paper

will look at collaborative efforts that a controlled laboratory setting has made in regards to

ameliorating TBI conditions in either acute or severe injuries and review the success of treatment

in the hopes that it can serve patients and their respective loved ones in finding more adequate

treatment platforms that can efficiently save lives in the long run.

Research Method & Design Appropriateness

According to Martyn Shuttleworth (2008), the top three most widely used research

methods are Experimental Research Methods, Opinion Based Research Methods, and

Observational Research Methods. There are a myriad of factors to take into account and evaluate

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when choosing the correct research method. Every experimental design must make compromises

and generalizations, so each individual researcher must minimize these, but, also do it while

being realistic (Shuttleworth, 2008).

Experimental Research Methods is a more straightforward experiment that involves the

standard practice of manipulating quantitative data and independent variables to generate

statistically analyzable data. The results generated can be quantified using a testable hypothesis,

with statistical information giving a clear and unambiguous picture (Shuttleworth, 2008).

Opinion Based Research Methods generally involve designing an experiment and collecting

numerical data that that can be represented via ordinal or interval types of measurements.

Questionnaires fall within this type of experimental method, since it is an effective way to

quantify data through a small sample survey and can provide a scale of opinion to emotion.

“Figures are arbitrary, but at least give a directional method of measuring intensity”

(Shuttleworth, 2008). Based on reports gathered by Shuttleworth (2008), Observational

Research Methods mostly involve researchers detaching themselves from the experiment and

simply witnessing the phenomenon they are most interested in. It’s characterized as a “quasi-

experimental” design and is primarily looked down upon in the scientific community. It oftenly

does not look to have a clearly defined research problem and questions may arise during the case

study, but, according to social scientists it does still provide insightful human knowledge when

applied to behavioral outcomes.

Quantitative research measurements encompass scientific data being strictly inputted into

statistical and other mathematical markers and definitions so as to finalize results via disproving

or proving a hypothesis. After statistical analysis of the data is done, a comprehensive answer

can be reached and the results can be legitimately discussed and published. Qualitative researchMethod and Research Method & Design Appropriateness