Research Methods Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Research Methods - Assignment Example This paper is an evaluation of an article by Belon et al.,(2007) discussing research methodology and implications for research in homeopathy. Groundwater arsenic contamination poses a great risk to millions of people worldwide. Since supply of arsenic free water is inadequate, a pilot study was conducted to determine if homeopathic remedies Arsenicum Album 30 and Arsenicum Album 200 have beneficial effects on a random population of Ghetugachi and Dakshin Panchpota, which are arsenic contaminated villages (Khuda-Buksh et al.,2005). Improvement in their general health as well as blood toxicity levels was observed on administration of homeopathic therapies (Milazzo, et al., 2006). However, during the investigation, the volunteers were strictly advised to refrain from taking arsenic contaminated water. This created doubt as to whether the changes observed were due to the homeopathic remedies or intake of the arsenic free water (Moffett et al., 2006). Therefore the present study by Belon et al,.(2007), was organised in an arsenic-contaminated village where arsenic free drinking water was unavailable. The parameters used in the study are either directly or indirectly implicated to the development of hapato-toxicity, and are important toxicity biomarkers. A hepato-toxic change is a primary feature associated with chronic arsenic poisoning and can lead to modulation of lipid peroxidation (LPO), which is associated with tissue damage and necrosis. 39 subjects comprising of 20 males and 19 females, showing no initial signs or symptoms of arsenic poisoning from the village of Dasdiya which has been recently marked as an arsenic-contaminated village, in Haringhata block under Nadia District, West Bengal volunteered by signing a consent form. Nevertheless, initially some participants were initially reluctant. The volunteers represented a subset of the population making Belon’s procedure convenient. It may be costly for an entire population to participate in a