Gallagher et al. (A-29) conducted a descriptive study to identify factors that influence women’s attendance at cardiac rehabilitation programs following a cardiac event. One outcome variable of interest was actual attendance at such a program. The researchers enrolled women discharged from four metropolitan hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Of 183 women, only 57 women actually attended programs. The authors reported odds ratios and confidence intervals on the following variables that significantly affected outcome: age-squared (1.72; 1.10–2.70). Women over the age of 70 had the lowest odds, while women ages 55–70 years had the highest odds.), perceived control (.92; .85–1.00), employment (.20; .07–.58), diagnosis (6.82, 1.84–25.21, odds ratio was higher for women who experienced coronary artery bypass grafting vs. myocardial infarction), and stressful event (.21, .06–.73).

Characterize this study as to whether it is observational, prospective, or retrospective. Describe the variables as to whether they are continuous, discrete, quantitative, qualitative, a risk factor, or a confounding variable. Explain the meaning of the reported odds ratios.
For each of the Exercises 35 through 51, do as many of the following as you think appropriate:

(a) Apply one or more of the techniques discussed in this chapter.

(b) Apply one or more of the techniques discussed in previous chapters.

(c) Construct graphs.

(d) Construct confidence intervals for population parameters.

(e) Formulate relevant hypotheses, perform the appropriate tests, and find p values.

(f) State the statistical decisions and clinical conclusions that the results of your hypothesis tests justify.
(g) Describe the population(s) to which you think your inferences are applicable.
(h) State the assumptions necessary for the validity of your analyses.