Lecture 7: Research and Methods Flashcards
Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research. Give examples of each.
1) Quantitative: Focus on numeric data and statistical analysis
-Surveys, experiments, observational studies
-The “how many”
2) Qualitative: Focus on non-numeric data to gain deeper insights into complex social phenomena
-Interviews, focus groups, participant observation
-The “why”
List the 9 basic steps of research
(just know the general flow)
1) ID the problem and formulate a research question
2) Review the recent literature
3) Revise the research question
4) Select the study design
5) Plan data/ analyze strategy
6) Develop and submit the project description to an IRB for approval
7) Collect data
8) Analyze data
9) Present results
Identifying a problem and formulating a research question:
What are the 3 types of research you can choose from? Describe the goals of each
1) Descriptive Research: Characteristics, behaviors or patterns within a given population “snapshot” of the situation without manipulating variables or establish causation.
2) Exploratory Research: Focused on investigating new and uncharted areas.
-Researchers seek to generate a hypothesis and ideas for further investigation.
3) Relational/Casual Research: Aim to explain the relationships between variables.
-Better understand the underlying mechanisms driving theses changes.
What are the two primary approaches to research?
1) EOP
2) PICOT
List + define each part of EOP research
1) Exposures: factors potentially linked to the prevention, development or enhancement of a health status
2) Outcome: A result tied (potentially) to specified exposures (morbidity/mortality)
3) Population: Case studies (individuals), communities, specific groups
`List each part of PICOT research
1) Patient, population or problem: Who/what is the patient/population to be addressed?
2) Intervention: What is the intervention that will be tested?
3) Comparison: What will the intervention be compared to?
4) Outcome: What is the desired or expected outcome of interest?
5) Time Frame: How long will it take to reach your desired outcome?
List some specific aims from the bottom up
1) Broad question abt the outcome or interest
2) Existing knowledge from the literature
3) Selection of population and region of interest
4) Potential sponsorship opportunities
5) Feasibility: time, access to population, partnerships, funding, clarity
6) Final research question
Describe a review of relevant literature (2 key components)
Surveyed to shape a research idea and identify gaps
1) Primary source utilized: Peer-reviewed articles published in reputable academic journals
2) Generalizability: Capacity of a study’s methods to produce comparable results across different populations
Study designs; describe:
1) Cross-sectional study
2) Cohort study (give an example too)
1) Cross-sectional study:
-Collects data at a single timepoint
2) Cohort study: A group of individuals is followed over time to observe the development of health outcomes
-Framingham Heart Study
Study designs; describe:
1) Randomized controlled trials
2) Phenomenology
3) Grounded theory
1) Experimental clinical studies that randomly assign participants to either an intervention or control group
2) Qualitative study design to uncover the essence of a phenomenon as experienced by individuals
3) Qualitative study design to develop theories grounded in the data collected, allowing new concepts and insights to immerge
What does sampling do?
Influences the generalizability and reliability
Sampling types; describe:
1) Random sampling
2) Single-blind study
3) Double-blind study
1) Helps minimize bias and ensures each member of the population has an equal chance
2) Either the participants or the researchers are unaware of certain critical information
3) Both the participants and the researchers are unaware of certain critical information
Sampling types; describe:
1) Purposeful Sampling
2) Saturation
1) Identifying individuals with varied experiences, perspectives or sociodemographic backgrounds
2) New data cease to provide additional insights or perspectives
1) What is informed consent?
2) What are the 4 things it requires?
1) Process in which researchers must obtain voluntary and informed consent from participants
2) Provide and explain purposes of the research
-Time the participant will be expected to participated
-Anticipated risks and discomforts/expected benefits
-Refusing to participate with involve no penalty or loss of benefits
List 4 ethical concerns in research
1) Informed consent
2) Privacy
3) Confidentiality
4) Vulnerable populations
Describe the following concerns in research:
1) Privacy
2) Confidentiality
3) Vulnerable populations
1) Protections to ensure that participants choose what information they want shared
2) Protection of personal information, identities are not disclosed to anyone unauthorized
3) Children, pregnant persons, incarcerated and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals
1) What does IRB stand for?
2) What is it responsible for?
3) What does it evaluate and why?
1) Institutional Review Boards
2) Responsible for providing protection for human participants
3) Evaluates and approves research
Minimize potential harm, ensures research is benefits are disrupted fairly across diverse populations
Data analysis:
1) What examines geographic patterns for patterns “hot spots”?
2) What involves repeated readings to identify patterns, themes and nuances?
3) What involves labeling and categorizing segments of data based on recurring themes
1) Spatial analysis
2) Data Immersion
3) Coding
Presenting Research Results:
1) Give some examples of journal manuscripts
2) What does it help do?
1) Peer-reviewed journals, validation and scrutiny of research methodologies and results
2) Maintain quality/integrity of the scientific literature
List 2 ways other than journals to present research results
1) Paper and Poster Presentations
-Platform for researchers to showcase their work, engage with pears
-Provides visual and interactive medium for presenting research
2) Reporting in General Media Outlets
-Broader audience beyond the academic and scientific communities
-Potential pitfalls of oversimplification or sensationalism
1) What does epidemiology rely on?
2) Who was the father of epidemiology?
1) Data and statistics
2) John Snow; research on cholera outbreaks 1854
Data and statistics are not absolutes. What are some sources of error?
Bias and confounding variables
Give an example of “science changing”
Breast cancer screenings: originally 50, then 45, now 40 every 2 years
List some aspects of probability
P-value, confidence interval, false negatives & false positives