Chapter 11 - Design and Execution of Research

Question 1

Scientific method

Answer 1

Series of 8 steps for the generation of new knowledge

Question 2

FINER method

Answer 2

Assesses the value of a research question on the basis of whether or not it is feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant

Question 3

Controls

Answer 3

Used to correct for any influences of an intervention that are not part of the model
- Can be positive or negative

Question 4

Positive controls

Answer 4

Ensure that a change in the dependent variable occurs when expected

Question 5

Negative controls

Answer 5

Ensure that no change in the dependent variable occurs when none is expected

Question 6

Accuracy (validity)

Answer 6

Ability of an instrument to measure a true value
- Scale registers 170 lb. person’s weight as 170 lbs.

Question 7

Reliability (precision)

Answer 7

Ability of an instrument to read consistently or within a narrow range
- Scale reads between 129-131 lbs.

Question 8

Binary variables

Answer 8

Yes vs no, better vs worse

Question 9

Continuous variables

Answer 9

Amount of weight, percentage of improvement

Question 10

Categorical variables

Answer 10

Socioeconomic status, residence

Question 11

Cohort studies

Answer 11

Record exposures throughout time and then assess the rate of a certain outcome

Question 12

Cross-sectional studies

Answer 12

Assess both exposure and outcome at the same point in time

Question 13

Case control studies

Answer 13

Assess outcome status and then assess for exposure history

Question 14

Hill’s criteria

Answer 14

Describe components of an observed relationship that increase the likelihood of causality in the relationship
- 9 criteria

Question 15

Temporality

Answer 15

Exposure must occur before the outcome

Question 16

Strength

Answer 16

As more variability in the outcome variable is explained by variability in the study variable, the relationship is more likely to be causal

Question 17

Dose response relationship

Answer 17

As independent variable increases, there is proportional increase in response

Question 18

Consistency

Answer 18

Similar in multiple settings

Question 19

Plausibility

Answer 19

Reasonable mechanism for the independent variable to impact the dependent variable supported by existing literature

Question 20

Consideration of alternative explanations

Answer 20

All other plausible explanations eliminated

Question 21

Specificity

Answer 21

Change in outcome variable is only produced by an associated change in independent variable

Question 22

Coherence

Answer 22

New data consistent with current state of scientific knowledge

Question 23

Bias

Answer 23

Result of flaws in the data collection phase of an experimental or observational study

Question 24

Selection bias

Answer 24

Subjects used are not representative of the target population
- Occurs before intervention

Question 25

Detection bias

Answer 25

Arises from educated professionals using their knowledge in an inconsistent way by searching for an outcome disproportionately in certain populations

Question 26

Hawthorne effect

Answer 26

Results from changes in behavior- by the subject, experimenter, or both- that occur as a result of the knowledge that the subject is being observed

Question 27

Confounding

Answer 27

Error in data analysis that results from a common connection of both the dependent and independent variables to third variable

Question 28

Beneficence

Answer 28

Requires us to act in patient’s best interest

Question 29

Non-maleficence

Answer 29

Obligation to avoid treatments or interventions in which the potential for harm outweighs the potential for benefit

Question 30

Autonomy

Answer 30

Responsibility to respect patients’ decisions

Question 31

Justice

Answer 31

Dictates which study questions are worth pursuing and which subjects to use

Question 32

Respect for persons

Answer 32

Includes autonomy, informed consent, and confidentiality

Question 33

Population

Answer 33

Complete group of every individual that satisfies the attributes of interest

Question 34

Parameter

Answer 34

Info that is calculated using every person in a population

Question 35

Sample

Answer 35

Any group taken from a population that does not include all the individuals from the population

Question 36

Statistics

Answer 36

Sample data

Question 37

Internal validity

Answer 37

Refers to the identification of causality and a study between the independent variable and dependent variable

Question 38

External validity

Answer 38

Refers to the ability of a study to be generalized to the population that it describes