Ch. 11: Reasoning About the Design and Execution of Research Flashcards

1
Q

what are the eight steps in the scientific method

A
  1. generate a testable question
  2. gather data and resources
  3. form a hypothesis
  4. collect new data
  5. analyze the data
  6. interpret the data and existing hypothesis
  7. publish
  8. verify results
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2
Q

what is a hypothesis

A

proposed explanation or answer to a testable question, often in the form of a if-then statement

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3
Q

what is accomplished during experimentation

A

variables of interest are manipulated and controlled OR subjects are observed in order to collect new data

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4
Q

what is the purpose of an if-then statement

A

it ensures that a hypothesis is testable

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5
Q

what does the FINER method apply to

A

evaluating a research question (not hypothesis)

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6
Q

what are the questions the FINER method asks

A
  • is the necessary research FEASIBLE
  • do others find this INTERESTING
  • is the question NOVEL (new)
  • would the study be ETHICAL
  • is the question RELEVANT
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7
Q

what kind of research is basic science research

A

research conducted in a lab and not on people, allowing for the most control

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8
Q

what is a control/standard

A

condition that can be applied to multiple trials as near identical as possible –> method of verifying results

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9
Q

what are positive controls

A

controls that ensure a change in the dependent variable

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10
Q

what are negative controls

A

controls that ensure no change in the dependent variable

often used to test for placebo effect

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11
Q

what is the independent variable

A

the variable that is being manipulated in an experiment

goes on the x-axis

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12
Q

what is the dependent variable

A

the variable that is being measured in an experiment

goes on the y-axis

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13
Q

when is a relationship CAUSAL

A

when a known variable links an independent and dependent variable

  • -> change in independent variable ALWAYS precedes a change in the dependent variable
  • -> changes in dependent variables do not occur without experimental intervention
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14
Q

what is accuracy/validity

A

the ability of an instrument to measure a true value

“on target”

lack of = systematic error

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15
Q

what is precision/reliability

A

the ability of an instrument to read consistently and within a narrow range

“together”

lack of = random error

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16
Q

what is bias

A

systematic error

17
Q

what will an unreliable tool introduce

A

random error

18
Q

what is human subjects research

A

research conducted on human subjects with significantly less control and weaker established relationships

19
Q

what is randomization

A

method used to control for difference (like age and gender) between groups in biomedical research

randomly (using a coin toss or die roll) establishes a control group from the entire research group

20
Q

what is blinding

A

method to control for bias of perception against a group or variable

subjects or investigators do not have information about which group the subject is in

21
Q

what is a single blind study

A

either the subject or the assessor does not know what group the subject is in

22
Q

what is a double blind study

A

the subject, the assessor AND the investigator do not know what group the subject is in

23
Q

what are confounding variable

A

third-party variables outside of the independent and dependent variables being evaluated which can confuse correlation with causation

24
Q

what are binary variables

A

yes vs no, better vs worse

25
what are continuous variables
amount of weight lost, percent improvement
26
what are categorical variables
state of residence, socioeconomic status
27
what are observational studies
research that does not carry out an experiment, but analyzes available data
28
what are cohort studies
subjects are sorted into groups based on differences of interests and assessed at different intervals to determine rate of outcomes of interest
29
what are cross-sectional studies
patients are categorized into groups at a single point in time
30
what are case-control studies
identify number of patients with outcome and work backwards to determine if their was an incident of exposure
31
what does Hill's criteria evaluate
how likely relationships between observed criteria are to be causal
32
what are the aspects of hill's criteria
``` temporality - independent before dependent strength dose - response consistence plausibility consideration of alternatives experiment specificity coherence ```
33
when does selection bias occur
when subjects selected for an experiment are not representative of the target population
34
when does detection bias occur
when educated professionals use their knowledge inconstiently
35
when does observation bias occur
when the behavior of subjects is altered simply because they are aware they are being observed
36
in what phase does all bias occur
in the experimentation phase
37
in what phase does confounding occur
in the data analysis phase
38
what is the only necessary criterion for Hill's criteria
``` TEMPORALITY exposure (independent variable) must occur before the outcome (dependent variable) ```
39
what are the core ethical tenants
1. beneficence 2. nonmalficence 3. autonomy 4. justice