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

Question 1

what are the eight steps in the scientific method

Answer 1

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

Question 2

what is a hypothesis

Answer 2

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

Question 3

what is accomplished during experimentation

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what is the purpose of an if-then statement

Answer 4

it ensures that a hypothesis is testable

Question 5

what does the FINER method apply to

Answer 5

evaluating a research question (not hypothesis)

Question 6

what are the questions the FINER method asks

Answer 6

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

Question 7

what kind of research is basic science research

Answer 7

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

Question 8

what is a control/standard

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what are positive controls

Answer 9

controls that ensure a change in the dependent variable

Question 10

what are negative controls

Answer 10

controls that ensure no change in the dependent variable

often used to test for placebo effect

Question 11

what is the independent variable

Answer 11

the variable that is being manipulated in an experiment

goes on the x-axis

Question 12

what is the dependent variable

Answer 12

the variable that is being measured in an experiment

goes on the y-axis

Question 13

when is a relationship CAUSAL

Answer 13

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

Question 14

what is accuracy/validity

Answer 14

the ability of an instrument to measure a true value

“on target”

lack of = systematic error

Question 15

what is precision/reliability

Answer 15

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

“together”

lack of = random error

Question 16

what is bias

Answer 16

systematic error

Question 17

what will an unreliable tool introduce

Answer 17

random error

Question 18

what is human subjects research

Answer 18

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

Question 19

what is randomization

Answer 19

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

Question 20

what is blinding

Answer 20

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

Question 21

what is a single blind study

Answer 21

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

Question 22

what is a double blind study

Answer 22

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

Question 23

what are confounding variable

Answer 23

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

Question 24

what are binary variables

Answer 24

yes vs no, better vs worse

Question 25

what are continuous variables

Answer 25

amount of weight lost, percent improvement

Question 26

what are categorical variables

Answer 26

state of residence, socioeconomic status

Question 27

what are observational studies

Answer 27

research that does not carry out an experiment, but analyzes available data

Question 28

what are cohort studies

Answer 28

subjects are sorted into groups based on differences of interests and assessed at different intervals to determine rate of outcomes of interest

Question 29

what are cross-sectional studies

Answer 29

patients are categorized into groups at a single point in time

Question 30

what are case-control studies

Answer 30

identify number of patients with outcome and work backwards to determine if their was an incident of exposure

Question 31

what does Hill’s criteria evaluate

Answer 31

how likely relationships between observed criteria are to be causal

Question 32

what are the aspects of hill’s criteria

Answer 32

temporality - independent before dependent
strength 
dose - response 
consistence
plausibility
consideration of alternatives
experiment
specificity
coherence

Question 33

when does selection bias occur

Answer 33

when subjects selected for an experiment are not representative of the target population

Question 34

when does detection bias occur

Answer 34

when educated professionals use their knowledge inconstiently

Question 35

when does observation bias occur

Answer 35

when the behavior of subjects is altered simply because they are aware they are being observed

Question 36

in what phase does all bias occur

Answer 36

in the experimentation phase

Question 37

in what phase does confounding occur

Answer 37

in the data analysis phase

Question 38

what is the only necessary criterion for Hill’s criteria

Answer 38

TEMPORALITY
exposure (independent variable) must occur before the outcome (dependent variable)

Question 39

what are the core ethical tenants

Answer 39

1. beneficence
2. nonmalficence
3. autonomy
4. justice