LATG 18: Study Design and Data Handling

Question 1

True or False: Scientific research begins with a conclusion about a set of animals or humans.

Answer 1

False- begins with a question

Question 2

If results from a study can be replicated in some animal studies but not in others, the study lacks:

Answer 2

generality.

Question 3

True or False: When a sample group shows no effect, although the treatment would actually have a real effect on the whole population, the study has produced false positive results.

Answer 3

False- false negative result

Question 4

True or False: Blind assessment is an effective method of avoiding bias.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

True or False: A group of test subjects in a research study is used as a sample to draw conclusions about an entire population.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

An experimental hypothesis is a _________________ of the results of the study.

Answer 6

prediction

Question 7

True or False: An experimental hypothesis is a statement of the answer an investigator expects to find to a research question.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

True or False: In any scientific study, the goal is to include as many animals as possible in each group.

Answer 8

False- investigator determines smallest amount of animals needed to obtain results

Question 9

True or False: The independent variable is the variable that is measured during the study.

Answer 9

False- dependent variable is measured

Question 10

True or False: In a scientific study, the control group is the group receiving the experimental treatment.

Answer 10

False

Question 11

The _______ is the number of experimental units in a group.

Answer 11

sample size

Question 12

True or False: All members of the research team have a responsibility to see that the study protocol is followed exactly as written and approved by the IACUC.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

True or False: Some sources of nonexperimental variation cannot be controlled.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Unexpected differences within subjects can be controlled by:

Answer 14

randomization

Question 15

In a study that attempts to determine if using treats such as pieces of carrots to elicit a desired behavior in rats (move through a tunnel to a new cage) will help the rats learn the behavior more quickly, what is the independent variable?

Answer 15

the treats

Question 16

Confounding variables are known as:

Answer 16

non experimental variables

Question 17

In a study that attempts to determine if using treats to elicit a desired behavior (move through a tunnel to a new cage) helps the rats learn the behavior more quickly, what is the dependent variable?

Answer 17

time taken to reach new cage

Question 18

True or False: In a normal distribution, 95% of the measurements fall between the mean plus or minus one standard deviation (mean ± 1 SD).

Answer 18

False-68% of the measurements fall between the mean plus or minus one standard deviation (mean ± 1 SD). 95% of the measurements fall between the mean mean ± 2 SD

Question 19

Two studies demonstrated that Drug A reduces joint inflammation in baboons. Study 1 shows a significant difference between the experimental and the control group at p = 0.10, and Study 2 shows a significant difference at p = 0.01. Which study has the greater confidence level?

Answer 19

study 2

Question 20

Which term is used for the measure of dispersion of data?

Answer 20

standard deviation

Question 21

True or False: In statistics, the p-value is the opposite of the confidence level.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

What phrase best defines “bias” in research?

Answer 22

Influence on study data by investigators or conditions

Question 23

The probability that the difference observed in the data happened by chance and is due to normal distribution rather than to the experimental treatment is known as the:

Answer 23

p-value

Question 24

If a treatment would actually be effective, but a significant effect was not detected in the study (the null hypothesis was accepted), the study lacked:

Answer 24

power

Question 25

If results from a study can be replicated in some animal studies but not in others, the study lacks:

Answer 25

generality

Question 26

The confidence level is an index of:

Answer 26

certainty

Question 27

Details of the assessed treatment(s) and measurements are described by the:

Answer 27

study design

Question 28

________ helps to eliminate personal bias from a study and to allow the independent variable to control.

Answer 28

Randomization

Question 29

A group of investigators think that cages housing mice on paper bedding will have higher ammonia levels than those on hard wood, but they conduct a study and conclude that any difference between groups is due to chance and not to any effect created by the different bedding types. Their conclusion supports what?

Answer 29

null hypothesis

Question 30

The research question is usually expressed as a(n):

Answer 30

hypothesis

Question 31

A(n) __________ is an assumption evaluated by research.

Answer 31

hypothesis

Question 32

A graph with a curve encompassing a wider span across the x-axis indicates greater:

Answer 32

variability

Question 33

What best defines the term “variable” as used in the biomedical research field?

Answer 33

It represents anything that can affect the results of a study.

Question 34

What are 4 types of skills that managers need to have?

Answer 34

technical skills, conceptual skills, communication skills, people skills

Question 35

What best describes conceptual skills?

Answer 35

thinking analytically or creatively

Question 36

True or False: Good communication skills decrease in importance as an individual climbs the management ladder?

Answer 36

False

Question 37

What are the 3 steps involved in setting a goal?

Answer 37

identify the goal, decide on a strategy to achieve the goal, determine the allocation of resources to attain the goal

Question 38

What is the basic principle for staffing a facility?

Answer 38

divide the workload based on what tasks an average person can reasonably accomplish within the regular working hours

Question 39

True or False: Asking about the applicant's views on the use of animals in research is NOT appropriate.

Answer 39

False

Question 40

If it becomes necessary to get a supervisor to get involved in a conflict between 2 employees, what is the best first step to resolve the situation?

Answer 40

have them describe in writing specific actions they find objectionable

Question 41

The performance standards used for performance appraisals should be:

Answer 41

measurable

Question 42

True or False: It is best to set very high performance standards so that only the very best employees meet them.

Answer 42

False

Question 43

What are some steps that may be taken before firing an employee is considered?

Answer 43

verbal warning, written reprimand, suspension, demotion

Question 44

Where should the organization's policies be described?

Answer 44

employee handbook

Question 45

The research question is usually expressed as a:

Answer 45

hypothesis

Question 46

True or False: In a scientific study, the control group is the group receiving the experimental treatment.

Answer 46

False

Question 47

True or False: In any scientific study, the goal is to include as many animals as possible in each group.

Answer 47

False

Question 48

True or False: In statistics, the p value is the opposite of the confidence level.

Answer 48

True

Question 49

Statistics is a science that deal with the _____, _____, ______, and _______ of data by the use of __________.

Answer 49

collection, classification, analysis, and interpretation; probability theory

Question 50

What criteria should be used to determine the number of animals to be used in a study?

Answer 50

The 3 R's principle and the confidence level selected

Question 51

Define dependent variable.

Answer 51

the variable measured during study

Question 52

Define dependent variable.

Answer 52

the variable measured during study

Question 53

Define independent variable.

Answer 53

the variable manipulated by the investigator

Question 54

Define control group.

Answer 54

similar group of animals that do not get the experimental treatment

Question 55

Define treatment group.

Answer 55

animals receiving the experimental treatment

Question 56

What is the statistical method that helps control variables by eliminating personal bias from a study?

Answer 56

randomization

Question 57

True or False: For a sample that has a normal distribution, 95% of the data points will fall within +/- 2 SD.

Answer 57

True

Question 58

What is the difference between the confidence level and the p-value?

Answer 58

an index of certainty that the difference is due to experimental treatment

Question 59

What factor is controlled by randomization?

Answer 59

bias

Question 60

What is the difference in an experimental and a null hypothesis?

Answer 60

experimental hypothesis is a prediction of the results of a study, a null hypothesis states there is no difference between means of 2 groups and no variable effect

Question 61

Anything that can potentially affect the results of the study

Answer 61

variables

Question 62

Anything that can potentially affect the results of the study

Answer 62

variables

Question 63

index of certainty

Answer 63

confidence level

Question 64

measure of the dispersion of data

Answer 64

standard deviation

Question 65

the probability that the observed difference happened by chance alone

Answer 65

p-value

Question 66

a statement that there is no difference between the means of the 2 groups

Answer 66

null hypothesis

Question 67

the number of experimental units in a group

Answer 67

sample size