ARTICLE ANALYSIS OF A STATISITICAL PAPER

Article Analysis of a Statisitical Paper

Article Analysis of a Statisitical Paper

Introduction

The article selected for this review “Predictors of Work Injuries: A Quantitative Exploration of Level of English Proficiency as a Predictor of Work Injuries in the Construction Industry” written by Mcconnell et.al examines if a difference in level of English proficiency can be a predictor of work injuries and accidents. The objective of this paper is to critically analyze the given article.

Independent/Antecedent/Predictor Variables

The main variables identified by the research questions are level of English proficiency,safety knowledge, impulsivity, job tenure, overall injury score, and jobhazards.

In research, independent variable is the one which is manipulated by the researcher in an experiment to study to know how it affects the expression of the dependent variable. The independent variable is also known as an explanatory variable, and while the dependent variable is known as explanatory variables. Independent variable is the “force” that is hypothesized to cause change in the outcome of the experiment. It is also sometimes called a treatment variable because it is often the treatment or the experimental condition that is applied at different levels (hence, it is a variable) to a selected group, and then the effects of that application are evaluated through an examination of the outcome or the effects on the dependent variable.

This study incorporated following key independent variables:

Impulsivity

Impulsivity represents the propensity to get things done quickly and to act suddenly with little forethought for the consequences of one's behavior. Therefore, impulsive employees may rush to complete a task without adequate consideration of following safe operating procedures, resulting in increased risk of injury. Therefore, this variable was included in this study to determine its effects on work injuries.

Job tenure

Job tenure is also an important predictor variable included in this study. Job tenure has received some attention in prior research on work injuries, although conceptual disagreement exists regarding the potential direction of this relation. Job tenure represents the amount of job-related experience an employee has. Because experienced employees are less likely to injure themselves than inexperienced employees, job tenure should be inversely related to the occurrence of work injuries. In contrast, workers with higher tenure are more likely than those with low tenure to be assigned jobs with greater skill requirements and risk potential. From this perspective, job tenure should be positively related to work injuries.

Safety knowledge

Many injuries occur because workers do not adhere to safety procedures. Knowledge of risk factors has a preventive function. Therefore, this study has also measured the effect of safety knowledge on worker's injuries. However, the knowledge is not necessarily transformed into effective safe behaviors. To improve safety, one must integrate knowledge through the practical application of information. In ambiguous work settings, it is more difficult for employees to develop effective control.

Physical hazards

Physical hazards is another predictor variable for workplace injuries in construction industry. It represents the extent to which individuals are exposed to dangerous equipment, unsafe working conditions, and poor environmental ...