Chapter 19 - Research Methods Flashcards
Applied Research
A type of research that focuses on the use of scientific theories to improve actual practice, as in medical research applied to the treatment of patients.
Basic Research
A type of research that focuses on the development and refinement of theories
Bibliographic Database
Databases of published literature such as journals, magazines, newspaper articles, books, book chapters, and other information sources
Case Study
A type of nonparticipant observation in which researchers investigate one person, one group, or one institution in depth
Case-Control (retrospective) Study
A study that investigates the development of disease by amassing volumes of data about factors in the lives of persons with the disease (cases) and persons without the disease
Causal Relationship
A type of relationship in which one factor results in a change in another factor (cause and effect)
Causal-Comparative Research
A research design that resembles experimental research but lacks random assignment to a group and manipulation of treatment
Cohort Study
A study, followed over time, in which a group of subjects is identified as having one or more characteristics in common
Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER)
Research that generates and synthesizes evidence that compares the benefits and harms of alternative methods to prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor a clinical condition, or to improve the delivery of care
Confounding Variable
In research an event or a factor that is outside a study but occurs concurrently with the study
Content Analysis
A method of research that provides a systematic and objective analysis of communication effectiveness, such as the analysis performed on tests
Control Group
A comparison study group whose members do not undergo the treatment under study
Correlational Research
A design of research that determines the existence and degree of relationship among factors
Cross-Sectional Study
A biomedical research study in which both the exposure and the disease outcome are determined at the same time in each subject
Deductive Reasoning
The process of developing conclusions based on generalizations
Dependent Variable
A measurable variable in a research study that depends on an independent variable
Descriptive Research
A type of research that determines and reports the current status of topics and subjects
Double-Blind Study
A type of clinical trial conducted with strict procedures for randomization in which neither research nor subject knows whether the subject in in the control group or the experimental group
Ethnography
A method of observational research that investigates culture in naturalistic settings using both qualitative and quantitative approaches
Evaluation Research
A design research that examines the effectiveness of policies, programs, or organizations
Experimental (Study) Group
A group of participants in which the exposure status of each participant is determined, and the individuals are followed forward to determine the effects of the exposure
Experimental Method
Researchers randomly assign participants into an experimental group or into a control group and actively intervene to test a hypothesis; they manipulate an independent variable (treatment or intervention) in order to assess its effect on the dependent variable (the outcome)
Experimental Research
- A research design used to establish a cause and effect 2. A controlled investigation in which subjects are assigned randomly to groups that experience carefully controlled interventions that are manipulated by the experimenter according to a strict protocol
External Validity
An attribute of a study’s design that allows its findings to be applied to other groups
Focus Group
A group of approximately 6 to 12 subjects, usually experts in the particular area of study, brought together to discuss a specific topic using the focused interview method, usually with a moderator who is not on the research team
Focused Study
A study in which a research orally questions and conducts discussions with members of a group
Generalizability
The ability to apply research results, data, or observations to groups not originally under study
Grounded Theory
A theory about what is actually going on instead of what should be going on
Health Services Research
Research conducted on the subject of healthcare delivery that examines organizational structures and systems as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare services
Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
The evaluation of the usefulness (utility) of a health technology in relation to cost, efficacy, utilization, and other factors in terms of its impact
Heterogeneity
The state of fact of containing various components
Historical Research
A research design used to investigate past events
Hypothesis
A statement that describes a research question in measurable terms
Independent Variable
The factors in experimental research that researchers manipulate directly
Inductive Reasoning
A process of creating conclusions based on a limited number of observations
Instrument
A standardized and uniform way to measure and collect data
Internal Validity
An attribute of a study’s design that contributes to the accuracy of its findings
Interrater Reliability
A measure of a research instrument’s consistency in data collection when used by different abstractors
Interview Survey
A formal meeting, often between a job applicant and a potential employer
Intrarater Reliability
A measure of a research instrument’s reliability in which the same person repeating the test will get reasonably similar findings
Likert Scale
An ordinal scaling and summated rating technique for measuring the attitudes of respondents; a measure that records levels of agreement or disagreement along a progression of categories, usually five (five-point scale), often administered in the form of a questionnaire
Longitudinal
A type of time frame for research studies during which data are collected from the same participants at multiple points in time
Meta-analysis
A specialized form of systematic literature review that involves the statistical analysis of a large collection of results from individual studies for the purpose of integrating the studies’ findings
Mixed Methods Research
Research method approach that combines quantitative and qualitative techniques within a single study or across multiple, complimentary studies
Model
The representation of a theory in a visual format, on a smaller scale, or with objects
Naturalistic Observation
A type of nonparticipant observation in which researchers observe certain behaviors and events as they occur naturally
Needs Assessment
A procedure performed by collecting and analyzing data to determine what is required, lacking, or desired by an employee, a group, or an organization
Nonparticipant Observation
A method of research in which researchers act as neutral observers who do not intentionally interact or affect the actions of the population being observed
Nonrandom (Nonprobability) Sampling
A type of convenience or purposive sampling in which all members of the target population do not have an equal or independent chance of being selected for a research study
Observational Research
A method of research in which researchers obtain data by watching research participants rather than by asking questions
Outcome Evaluation
Collecting and analyzing data at the end of an implementation or operating cycle to determine whether the program, project, or other activity or object has achieved its expected or intended impact, product, or other outcome
Outcomes Research
Research aimed at assessing the quality and effectiveness of healthcare as measured by the attainment of a specified end result or outcome, improved health, lowered morbidity or mortality, and improvement of abnormal states
Participant Observation
A research method in which researchers also participate in the observed actions
Pilot Study
A trial run on a smaller scale
Policy Analysis
Identifying options to meet goals and estimating the costs and consequences of each option prior to the implementation of any option
Primary Analysis
Refers to analysis of original research data by the researchers who collected them
Primary Source
An original work of a researcher who conducted an investigation
Problem Statement
A single sentence with an action verb, such as explore or compare, that specifically and succinctly states what the researcher will be doing to investigate the problem or question
Process Evaluation
Monitoring programs, projects and other activities or objects to check whether their development or implementation is proceeding as planned
Prospective Study
A study designed to observe outcomes or events that occur after the identification of a group of subjects to be studied
Protocol
In healthcare, a detailed plan of care for a specific medical condition based on investigative studies; in medical research, a rule or procedure to be followed in a clinical trial; in a computer network, a rule or procedure used to address and ensure delivery of data
Qualitative Approach
A philosophy of research that assumes that multiple contextual truths exist, and bias is always present
Quantitative Approach
A philosophy of research that assumes that there is a single truth across time and place and that researchers are able to adopt a neutral, unbiased stance and establish causation
Quasi-experimental Method
In this method, researchers cannot randomly assign participants into two groups but, rather, observe the effect of an intervention that has already occurred; these interventions could be diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, risk factors, exposures, or other events
Questionnaire Survey
A type of survey in which the members of the population are questioned through the use of electronic or paper form
Random Sampling
An unbiased selection of subjects that includes methods such as simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, systematic sampling, and cluster sampling
Randomization
The assignment of subjects to experimental or control groups based on chance
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
A special type of clinical trial in which the researchers follow strict rules to randomly assign patients to groups
Reliability
A measure of consistency of data items based on their reproducibility and an estimation of their error of measurement
Research
- An inquiry process aimed at discovering new information about a subject or revising old information. Investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws; the collecting of information about a particular subject 2. As amended by HITECH, a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalized knowledge
Research Design
Structure of a study ensuring that the evidence collected will be relevant and that the evidence will unambiguously and convincingly answer the research question; the design includes a detailed plan that, in a quantitative study includes controlling variance
Research Frame
Comprises the theory underpinning the study and the model illustrating the factors and relationships that the study is investigating; it also includes the assumptions of the research’s f ield and the field’s typical methods and analytical tools; and provides an overarching structure for a research project
Research Method
A set of specific procedures used to gather and analyze data
Research Methodology
A set of procedures or strategies used by researchers to collect, analyze, and present data
Research Question
A clear statement in the form of a question of the specific issue within a topic that a researcher wishes to study
Retrospective Study
A type of research conducted by reviewing records from the past (for example, birth and death certificates or health records) or by obtaining information about past events through surveys or interviews
Sample
A set of units selected for study that represent a population
Scale
Measure with progressive categories, such as size, amount, importance, rank, or agreement
Secondary Analysis
A method of research involving analysis of the original work of another person or organization
Secondary Source
A summary of an original work, such as an encyclopedia
Simulation Observation
A type of nonparticipant observation in which researchers stage events rather than allowing them to happen naturally
Survey
A method of self-report research in which the individuals themselves are the source of the data
Systematic Review
A comprehensive review of the evidence on a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant published and unpublished research studies; to extract and analyze data from the studies that are included in the review; and to present integrated and synthesized information
Theory
A systematic organization of knowledge that predicts or explains the behavior or events
Treatment
As amended by HITECH, the provision, coordination, or management of health care and related services by one or more health care providers, including the coordination or management of health care by a health care provider with a third party; consultation between health care providers relating to a patient; or the referral of a patient for health care from one health care provider to another
Triangulation
The use of multiple sources or perspectives to investigate the same phenomenon
Validity
- The extent to which data correspond to the actual state of affairs or that an instrument measures what is purports to measure 2. A term referring to a test’s ability to accurately and consistently measure what it purports to measure
Variable
A characteristic or property that may take on different values
