Chapter 11 - Design and Execution of Research Flashcards
Scientific method
Series of 8 steps for the generation of new knowledge
FINER method
Assesses the value of a research question on the basis of whether or not it is feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant
Controls
Used to correct for any influences of an intervention that are not part of the model
- Can be positive or negative
Positive controls
Ensure that a change in the dependent variable occurs when expected
Negative controls
Ensure that no change in the dependent variable occurs when none is expected
Accuracy (validity)
Ability of an instrument to measure a true value
- Scale registers 170 lb. person’s weight as 170 lbs.
Reliability (precision)
Ability of an instrument to read consistently or within a narrow range
- Scale reads between 129-131 lbs.
Binary variables
Yes vs no, better vs worse
Continuous variables
Amount of weight, percentage of improvement
Categorical variables
Socioeconomic status, residence
Cohort studies
Record exposures throughout time and then assess the rate of a certain outcome
Cross-sectional studies
Assess both exposure and outcome at the same point in time
Case control studies
Assess outcome status and then assess for exposure history
Hill’s criteria
Describe components of an observed relationship that increase the likelihood of causality in the relationship
- 9 criteria
Temporality
Exposure must occur before the outcome
Strength
As more variability in the outcome variable is explained by variability in the study variable, the relationship is more likely to be causal
Dose response relationship
As independent variable increases, there is proportional increase in response
Consistency
Similar in multiple settings
Plausibility
Reasonable mechanism for the independent variable to impact the dependent variable supported by existing literature
Consideration of alternative explanations
All other plausible explanations eliminated
Specificity
Change in outcome variable is only produced by an associated change in independent variable
Coherence
New data consistent with current state of scientific knowledge
Bias
Result of flaws in the data collection phase of an experimental or observational study
Selection bias
Subjects used are not representative of the target population
- Occurs before intervention
Detection bias
Arises from educated professionals using their knowledge in an inconsistent way by searching for an outcome disproportionately in certain populations
Hawthorne effect
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
Confounding
Error in data analysis that results from a common connection of both the dependent and independent variables to third variable
Beneficence
Requires us to act in patient’s best interest
Non-maleficence
Obligation to avoid treatments or interventions in which the potential for harm outweighs the potential for benefit
Autonomy
Responsibility to respect patients’ decisions
Justice
Dictates which study questions are worth pursuing and which subjects to use
Respect for persons
Includes autonomy, informed consent, and confidentiality
Population
Complete group of every individual that satisfies the attributes of interest
Parameter
Info that is calculated using every person in a population
Sample
Any group taken from a population that does not include all the individuals from the population
Statistics
Sample data
Internal validity
Refers to the identification of causality and a study between the independent variable and dependent variable
External validity
Refers to the ability of a study to be generalized to the population that it describes
