Exam 1 Flashcards
Internal validity
- the degree of confidence a researcher has that the changes observed in the dependent variable are because of the independent variable
- degree to which study outcomes can be explained by differences in assigned intervention
External validity
Refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized to other settings/larger population
Causality
The outcome is the result of the treatment
What are the 9 criteria for casual relationships
Temporality
Strength
Biological gradient
Consistency
Specificity
Plausibility
Coherence
Analogy
Experiment
(ACCEPTS Some Bitches)
What is meant by temporality
Cause occurs before the outcome
What is meant by strength
Plausibility of causation increases with the strength of the relationship
What is meant by biological gradient
Linear relationship like a dose response is observed
What is meant by consistency
Casual relationship exists in different settings
What is meant by specificity
One to one relationship between cause and effect
What is meant by plausibility
Reasonable biological explanation
What is meant by coherence
Explained by existing knowledge
What are descriptive studies
Describe/summarize info without making any casual inferences
What is meant by experiment
Evidence that cause is controlled by the researcher
What is meant by analogy
Effect is similar to accepted phenomena
What is the purpose of a study
- to describe a phenomena
- provide casual interpretation of existing phenomenon
What are the 5 Ws of descriptive studies
Who (demographic)
What (case definition)
Why (clues about casual mechanism)
When (time period)
Where (place of occurrence)
So What (significance)
What are analytical studies
- aimed at understanding casual mechanism
- can involve both experimental and observational designs
What is common in basic research
Experimental designs
What is seen in clinical research
Both experimental and observational designs
What is most commonly used in experimental design
Randomized controlled trials (RCT)
What are the two essential elements of randomized controlled trials
Randomization and prospective
What is the gold standard in evaluating safety and efficacy of an intervention
Randomized controlled trials (RCT)
What is the independent variable
Exposure of interest, like medication or intervention
What types of data can be utilized in observational studies
- primary data (interviews, surveys)
- secondary data (medical charts)
What is a limitation of RCTs
Restricted external validity; may not be generalizable to real world settings
What is the key element of observational studies
Non-randomization of independent variable
What can case reports lead to
Generation of a hypothesis
What does a case report involve
A study of a single case of a new disease of manifestation
When are cross sectional studies inappropriate to be used
To study causality
How is a cross sectional study conducted
Exposure and outcome are measured at the same point in time
Where are case and controls identified from in case-control studies
From the same source population
When are cross sectional studies inappropriate to be used
To study causality
What is the design of choice to study a rare outcome and when there is a long latency period
Case control studies
How are cohort studies conducted
Follow exposed and unexposed over a period until development of outcome
How are the groups defined in cohort studies
Exposure status (exposed vs unexposed)
What does a cohort study provide a measure of
Relative risk
What is a retrospective (historic) cohort study
Uses previously collected data