Experimental Studies Flashcards
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What are experimental studies?
Scientific investigations where the researcher manipulates variables by exposing or depriving groups of a factor to observe outcomes.
What is the main goal of experimental studies?
To establish cause-and-effect relationships and demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions.
What are the two main types of experimental studies?
True (Randomized Controlled Trials) and Quasi-Experimental Studies.
What is the difference between clinical trials and field trials?
Clinical trials involve patients testing treatments, while field trials involve healthy individuals preventing diseases.
What are community trials?
Studies conducted on entire communities to test interventions targeting group behaviors, like disease prevention efforts.
What are the three key properties of experimental studies?
Manipulation, Randomization, and Control.
What is manipulation in experimental studies?
Changing a variable (e.g., giving or withholding treatment) to observe its effect.
What is randomization in experimental studies?
The process of assigning subjects to experimental or control groups randomly to ensure fairness.
What is the purpose of the control group in an experimental study?
To serve as a baseline by receiving the standard treatment instead of the experimental intervention.
What is blinding, and why is it used?
A technique to reduce bias by keeping participants and/or researchers unaware of group assignments.
What are the three types of blinding?
Single-Blind, Double-Blind, and Triple-Blind.
What is selection bias?
A systematic error where the study group differs significantly from the general population.
What is measurement bias?
Occurs when data collection methods are inaccurate or inconsistent, leading to incorrect measurements.
What is internal validity?
The degree to which the results of a study are accurate for the specific group being studied.
