Numbers 1.5

Ebola Survey Statistics

103 P3 Pharmacy students participated in a survey that asked them to answer questions about Ebola, then watch an informational video, and then answer the same questions to determine if their answers had changed. Experiments include dependent and independent variables. In this instance, the biggest independent variable is the survey and the factor that all the participants are being asked the same questions. The climate in which the survey and information session are being conducted in are also under the control of the experimenter, making them independent variables. Some dependent variables that could impact the survey results are respondents previous knowledge or awareness of the Ebola virus. How much they follow the news and the stories regarding the outbreak could cause them to have a bias in their answers.
The most significant change in survey answers came on question 26. The average response was in disagreement that living in Texas decreased the likelihood or risk of catching Ebola. After the information session, respondents became stronger in their disagreement with the statement. Among all the survey questions, question 26 was the only one that had a change in the mode. In the pre- portion of the survey, more respondents disagreed with the notion that living in Texas reduced the risk of Ebola. However, after the session, more respondents strongly disagreed.
For question 27, the average for the responses changed the same amount as question 26, but a majority of the responses already strongly disagreed. After the information session, some respondents changed their mind, but the majority were already decided and the information session did not alter their opinion.
The survey response for question 28 is the reverse of question 27. There is a change in the average response, however the majority were unchanged. Prior to the information session, most respondents strongly agreed Ebola is a serious illness. Following the information session, more respondents became stronger in their agreement, but the majority response was unchanged.
The statistical change in question 29 is the most interesting. This question had the largest average change with the pre- score of 1.27 and a post- score of 1.17. The mode did not change, with the majority strongly agreeing with the notion of isolated infected patients from healthy people. However, the change in average is noteworthy. The information session did seem to cause several respondents to move from disagreeing to strongly agreeing. These same respondents also changed their view on the prior question, regarding the seriousness of Ebola.
Questions 29 and 30 had the least amount of statistical change. The majority of respondents strongly agree with the notion that healthcare workers must familiarize themselves with Ebola and that communities must play a part in prevention.
Evaluating the descriptive statistics for the survey results helps to highlight where to focus the attention. Comparing changes in median to mode helps to show if there were truly significant changes in responses and why.