Chapter 2 Flashcards
What is Confirmation Bias?
Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms preexisting beliefs. This bias can hinder objective decision-making and the evaluation of evidence.
What is Evidence-Based Medicine?
Evidence-based medicine involves integrating clinical expertise with the best available research evidence and patient preferences to make informed healthcare decisions. It emphasizes using scientific data to guide medical practice.
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is the process of analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information objectively to form a reasoned judgment. It involves questioning assumptions, assessing evidence, and avoiding cognitive biases.
What is Epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the study of how diseases are distributed across populations and the factors that influence their spread. It helps public health officials develop strategies for prevention and control.
What is a Descriptive Study?
A descriptive study aims to observe and describe the characteristics of a specific population or phenomenon. It does not investigate causal relationships but provides valuable baseline data.
What are Observational Studies?
Observational studies involve monitoring subjects without manipulating variables, allowing researchers to identify patterns or associations.
Examples include cohort and case-control studies.
What is a Correlation Coefficient?
A correlation coefficient is a statistical measure that quantifies the strength and direction of a relationship between two variables. It ranges from -1 (perfect negative correlation) to +1 (perfect positive correlation).
What is a Scatterplot?
A scatterplot is a graphical representation of the relationship between two variables, with data points plotted on a two-dimensional grid. It helps visualize correlations and trends.
What is a Quasi-Experiment?
A quasi-experiment is a research design that resembles an experiment but lacks random assignment. It is often used when randomization is impractical or unethical.
What is a Cross-Sectional Study?
A cross-sectional study examines a population at a single point in time to identify associations between variables. It is useful for assessing prevalence but cannot establish causality.
What is a Longitudinal Study?
A longitudinal study follows the same individuals or groups over a period of time to observe changes and establish cause-and-effect relationships. It is often used in developmental and health research.
What is a Vector in epidemiology?
In epidemiology, a vector is an organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that transmits pathogens from one host to another. Vectors play a critical role in the spread of diseases like malaria and Lyme disease.
What is Morbidity?
Morbidity refers to the presence of disease or illness in a population. It is often measured to assess the burden of health conditions and guide healthcare planning.
What is Mortality?
Mortality refers to the number of deaths in a population within a specific time period. Mortality rates are key indicators of public health.
What is Incidence?
Incidence measures the number of new cases of a disease or condition in a population during a specific time frame. It provides insight into the risk of developing the condition.
What is Prevalence?
Prevalence refers to the total number of cases of a disease or condition in a population at a given time. It reflects the overall burden of the condition.
What is Etiology?
Etiology is the study of the causes and origins of diseases. Understanding etiology is essential for developing treatments and preventive measures.
What are Retrospective Studies?
Retrospective studies analyze past data to investigate relationships between exposures and outcomes. They are often used in medical and epidemiological research.
What are Case–Control Studies?
Case-control studies compare individuals with a disease (cases) to those without it (controls) to identify factors associated with the condition. These studies are particularly useful for studying rare diseases.
What is a Prospective Study?
A prospective study follows participants over time to observe outcomes based on exposures or interventions. This design helps establish temporal relationships between variables.
What is a Randomized Clinical Trial?
A randomized clinical trial is a controlled study in which participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. It is the gold standard for testing the efficacy of interventions.
What is a Meta-Analysis?
A meta-analysis combines data from multiple studies to produce a more robust and comprehensive analysis of a research question. It helps identify trends and strengthen conclusions.
What is Relative Risk?
Relative risk is a measure of the likelihood of an outcome occurring in an exposed group compared to an unexposed group. It helps assess the strength of associations in research studies.
What is Attributable Risk?
Attributable risk quantifies the proportion of a disease or condition that can be linked to a specific risk factor. It is useful for assessing the impact of interventions on public health.
What is Qualitative Research?
Qualitative research explores subjective experiences, behaviors, and perceptions through methods like interviews and focus groups. It provides rich, detailed insights that complement quantitative data.
What is Informed Consent?
Informed consent is the process of providing participants with detailed information about a study, including its risks and benefits, before obtaining their voluntary agreement to participate.
What is Debrief?
Debriefing occurs after a study or experiment and involves explaining the purpose, methods, and findings to participants. It ensures transparency and addresses any ethical concerns.
