INTRODUCTION
A quantitative analysis of qualitative data was done in this survey, on the accuracy of different medical imaging equipment on facilitating the diagnosis of a herniated lumbar disk was performed. The study focused on the accuracy of the X-RAY imaging, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computerised Tomography) Scan and physical examinations as techniques used in carrying out diagnostic tests. The survey was carried out on a sample population picked through a systematic random sample among patients diagnosed with lumbar herniated discs; a sample size of 10 patients, of varied ages, sexes and occupation was used. No controls were used in the study
The study entailed performing qualitative research through carrying …show more content…
The data structure assisted in the analysis approach used to analyse the data. The data was then collected, organised and summarised into a table; this is shown as table 1 in the appendix.
The five major components deemed to affect the results of an imaging are the patient, the imaging system, the system operator, the image itself, and the observer. The study focused on the imaging results and the relation of the patient’s sex to the results from the diagnostic testing. A relational evaluation to sex was undertaken due to impact of sex on other MRI scans such as brain scans among others, this evaluation was done to investigate the relation (if any) to MRI results.
The analysis therefore carried out a comparative study of the impact of the testing technique on the accuracy of the results as well as an evaluation of the relationship between gender and accuracy of the tests results. An assumption was made that the imaging system, system operator, image itself and observer to have been held constant and had no impact in the data collected. A data analysis was then carried out. (Reading University, 2013)
DATA ANALYSIS
Data analysis was done through the following