¶ … Asthma When it comes to the risks and benefits in a study, a researcher has to use the proper methods to balance these issues. There are algorithms that can be used in order to determine whether something will provide enough of a benefit to be worth doing, or whether there is too much of a risk (Burns & Grove, 2012). Most of the risk issues that appear in studies are based upon the use of human subjects in research (Burns & Grove, 2012). It can put the personal and medical information of participants at risk when they agree to be part of a study, and it is very important the participants understand these risks. Additionally, the researcher has to be aware of the types of risks involved and mitigate them as much as possible for the safety of the participants and their information (Burns & Grove, 2012). When considering whether there is too much risk to a participant to try a particular medication or treatment method, one way the risks and benefits are determined and weighed is through a quality of life study (Burns & Grove, 2012).

This examines the quality of life the participant currently has, and weighs that against the quality of life he or she would have if the planned treatment...

Then the risks of the treatment are also scrutinized. The "principle of threes" is also something used in order to determine the level of benefit based on the level of risk when it comes to treatments and medications for a medical condition (Burns & Grove, 2012). This principles examines the seriousness of the illness, the duration of it, and the incidence related to it and how it affects the participant (Burns & Grove, 2012). Then the value of the medications or treatments being considered are looked at based on whether they would alleviate symptoms, provide short- or long-term "cure," relief, or benefit, and what possible side effects may be seen in a participant (Burns & Grove, 2012). It is only through doing a careful risk benefit analysis that a researcher can really determine what should be done for a participant and whether he or she would be a good candidate for a particular treatment.
As an example of balancing risks and benefits in an actual study, one can examine a journal article written by Toole (2013), that dealt with helping children gain asthma control at schools. This study was based in Cincinnati, Ohio and addressed the value…