Chapter 4 Flashcards
After indentifying a general research topic, what does the researcher need to do?
The researcher needs to develop a specific research goal and a workable research plan.
The choice about how data will be gathered should be made:
Early on in the research process
What are the 3 types of data collection studies?
1) Primary study
2) Secondary study
3) Tertiary study
What is a primary study?
New data will be collected from individuals (Collect and analyze new data)
What is a secondary study?
An existing data set (or data extracted from existing records) will be statistically analyzed. (Analyze existing data)
What is a tertiary study?
The existing literature will be reviewed. (Review and synthesize the literature)
Give 1 pro and 1 con to collecting new data (primary study).
Pro: The researcher has greater freedom in selecting study topic.
Con: The researcher may struggle to recruit adequate numbers of participants.
What should the researcher be prepared to do if choosing to analyze existing data (secondary study)?
They must be prepared to identify a valid and pertinent source of data and select a study question based on the available data content.
What should the researcher be prepared to do if choosing to synthesize current knowledge by conducting a literature review?
The researcher should be prepared to track down the full text of all relevant articles and consider the costs involved.
Many research projects benefit from the development of what?
A conceptual model that will inform the design, implementation, and interpretation of the study.
How is a conceptual framework done?
It’s often sketched out using boxes and arrows that illustrate the various relationships that will be evaluated during the study.
What can inform the components and flows of the conceptual framework for a new research study?
A variety of established theoretical frameworks that are based on extensive reviews of the published literature.
The literature review and consideration of a study approach should lead to ___.
The selection of one very specific study topic that can be stated in terms of a single overarching study goal or study question.
A study goal often includes:
The specific exposure, disease, and population that will be the focus of the study.
After finalizing the overarching study goal, the research should identify three or more ___.
Specific objectives, specific aims, or hypotheses that stem from the main study goal.
Each of the specific objectives should:
1) Take the form of a measurable question or a “to” statement that uses action verbs.
2) Represent a logical step towards answering the main study question.
Most published scientific papers list the study goal and objectives in the ___.
Last paragraph of the introduction section.
What are often helpful resources when refining the research objectives of the new study?
The specific aims of already published papers related to the topic.
What is one consideration to take when narrowing the focus and clarifying the aims of a new research project?
The likelihood that the project can actually be successfully completed.
A good research project is:
FINER: Feasible Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant
Questions essential to the success of the project should cover which areas?
1) Purpose and significance
2) Scope and feasibility
3) Capacity and collaborators
4) Money and materials
5) Time
6) Population or data
7) Ethics
8) Target audience
