![]() For example, Rose (1985) notes the hypothetical example of a population in which every person smokes 20 cigarettes per day. Such aggregate-level analyses are particularly useful when some societal or environmental factors are constant or almost constant within a population. To answer the second question, it may be more useful to conduct aggregate-level studies that determine overall alcohol consumption in a population (e.g., per capita consumption) to model between-population variability. To answer the first question, investigators would mainly use individual-level studies (e.g., determine the level of alcohol consumption in individual drinkers within a country) to address within-population variability. The type of question to be answered determines the level at which researchers compare data in international research. What factors, such as sociocultural or political influences, contribute to the incidence of the condition in an entire population? 2000).Įpidemiologic research into the underlying mechanisms (i.e., the etiology) of any disorder generally addresses two questions ( Rose 1985): For example, in the case of research on gender differences in alcohol use, international comparisons could help distinguish which differences in men’s and women’s drinking behavior can be attributed to biological differences and which to socio-cultural factors ( Wilsnack et al. In the case of alcohol research, comparisons among different countries can help researchers determine how variations in social, cultural, political, environmental, and genetic factors can influence drinking behavior. ![]() Another reason for comparative research is the desire to further theoretical knowledge social scientists often employ comparative designs to develop or test theories. For example, national governments often want to know how their countries measure up against others in per capita consumption or in other comparative rankings of alcohol use. One reason for researching across national borders is the need for descriptive epidemiology ( Room 1988). In recent years, investigators also have made attempts to compare drinking rates and other drinking variables across different countries. Researchers in numerous countries have conducted analyses of alcohol consumption and general population surveys to ascertain the level and consequences of alcohol use. ![]()
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