Chapter 3: Research Problems (Questions)

Question 1

Focuses on answering important questions or deciphering the laws of nature.

Answer 1

Basic Research

Question 2

Employs the answers to basic questions for futher research to practical problems such as questions involving clinical practice.

Answer 2

Applied Research

Question 3

Any observations that can take different values.

Answer 3

Variables

Question 4

How should experiments be designed with regard to variables?

Answer 4

Design experiments so that changes to one variable can cause the other variable to vary in a predictable way.

Question 5

Known as the effect of unknown etiologies. May be changed by manipulating the IV.

Answer 5

Dependent (Outcome) Variable

Question 6

These variables can be manipulated or changed, and they explain the dependent variables.

Answer 6

Independent Variable

Question 7

A specific value on a variable (EX: Agreement rating on a scale from 1-5).

Answer 7

Attribute

Question 8

Any factor that is not directly related to the purpose of the study but may affect the dependent variable.

Answer 8

Extraneous variables

Question 9

What do extraneous variables have a confounding influence on when they are not controlled?

Answer 9

The independent variable

Question 10

Methods to control for extraneous variables (4).

Answer 10

1. Random assignment of subjects
2. Use of a control group
3. A well-defined research protocol
4. Blinding

Question 11

Why do researchers use blinding?

Answer 11

To avoid possibly consciously or unconsciously influencing the performance of a subject or the recording of data by a researcher.

Question 12

Neither the subjects or the investigators are aware of the identity of the treatment groups until after the data are collected.

Answer 12

Double-Blind Studies

Question 13

Only the participant doesn’t know what the purpose of the study is

Answer 13

Single-Blind Studies

Question 14

What does PICO stand for?

Answer 14

P - Patient/Population
I - Intervention/Treatment/Exposure
C - Comparison
O - Outcome

Question 15

Why are hypotheses formulated?

Answer 15

For the purpose of testing theories

Question 16

States that there is “no statistically significant difference,” or “no statistically significant relationship” between groups or variables.

Answer 16

Null Hypothesis

Question 17

May simply ask a question. EX: Is there a difference or is there a relationship between groups or variables?

Answer 17

Working (Experimental) Hypothesis

Question 18

What do researchers attempt to do with the null hypothesis?

Answer 18

• To reject the null hypothesis leading to acceptance of the experimental hypothesis.

Question 19

What is the most important aspect of a hypothesis? What component should it include?

Answer 19

The hypothesis should include a prediction of an outcome (must be testable).

Question 20

Variables not expressed as decimals or fractions. For example, the number of subjects, the number of times treatment is administered.

Answer 20

Discrete quantitative variables

Question 21

Expressed in any numerical value including fractions.

Answer 21

Continuous variables

Question 22

What is the standard, and most accepted, model of “Control Groups versus Experimental Groups” in research design?

Answer 22

1. Control groups may receive the “standard” tx

2. Experimental groups may receive the “new” tx

Question 23

Describe the type of model of “Control Groups versus Experimental Groups” in research design that can be considered unethical.

Answer 23

1. Control groups receive NO tx

2. Experimental groups receive NEW tx

Question 24

Each subject has equal chance of being assigned to any group.

Answer 24

Random Assignment

Question 25

Basic or Applied Research? Why? - The relationship between gender, receptive vocabulary, and literacy from school entry through to adulthood.

Answer 25

Basic - It is strictly focusing on a relationship.

Question 26

What may researchers use in order to compare groups on initial values (to show how two groups are similar in the IV)?

Answer 26

Statistical Means

Question 27

What type of sampling is not ideal in SLP? Why?

Answer 27

Randomized Sampling - Clinical research in SLP often uses small numbers (participant size (n)).

Question 28

When selecting a research problem, what do topics “provide?”

Answer 28

A general foundation to determine which area may be researched.

Question 29

What is a topic narrowed into?

Answer 29

an RQ

Question 30

What is the process of narrowing a research question facilitated by?

Answer 30

Lit review