Midterm Flashcards
A protocol outline includes what 6 things?
RQ, background & significance, study design, study population, measurements and statistics
A RQ is the __ of the study that must be __ and meet ___
objective of the study; focused; FINER criteria
Background & significance section of the protocol should include (6):
- rationale
- what is already known
- why is the RQ/study important
- what answers the study will provide
- cites previous research (uncertainties that still remain)
- how this study will address uncertainties from prior research
2 types of study design:
- observational
2. experimental
What are the types of observational studies?
cross sectional; case-control; cohort
What are the types of experimental studies?
randomized controlled trial (RCT)
The study population is defined by:
inclusion/exclusion criteria
Measurements section of protocol includes (4):
- what variables will be measured
- predictor variable(s)
- outcome variable(s)
- confounding variables
A predictor variable typically occurs __. It could have been ___. It is the ___ variable.
first; causal; independent
intervention
An outcome variable is the __ of the study, aka the ___; it is the ___ variable; ___ per research question
goal of the study; endpoint; dependent; one endpoint per RQ
ex= MI, death, stroke, decrease in BP
What are confounding variables?
anything that can influence/effect the outcome; needs to be controlled;
What is the difference between internal and external validity?
Internal validity= are the results accurate?
External validity= can the results be applied to the general population?
What are the two types of errors in research?
- random error: due to chance
2. systematic error: due to bias
Random error is due to __. It is distorted in what direction?
chance; equally likely to distort study in either direction
Systematic error is due to __. It is distorted in what direction?
Bias; distorts study in one direction
What are the three ways to reduce random error in research?
improve study design, increase sample size, increase precision
- sample size has no effect on systematic error
- *precision= consistency (hitting same spot on dart board)
What are the two ways to reduce systematic error?
improve study design, and increase accuracy
**accuracy= hitting bulls eye
What are the three characteristics of a good researcher?
skeptical, creative, tenacious
To determine if a RQ is feasible, look at (4):
number of subjects; technical expertise; cost in time and money; scope
Good clinical research __, __ and __ previous findings or provides __
confirms, refutes, extends; new findings
To confirm that a RQ is novel (3):
literature review, consulting experts, search funded research (ex= NIH)
An ethical RQ is the key to __. Don’t want study to (2):
IRB approval; pose unacceptable risk or invade privacy
A good RQ is relevant to (3):
scientific knowledge; clinical and healthy policy guidelines; future research
Advantages (2) and disadvantages (2) to multiple RQs:
adv: efficiency, back up plan
disadv: increases complexity, drawing statistical inferences
Three types of RQs:
- descriptive
- relational
- comparative
How many variables/groups does a descriptive RQ have?
one variable, one group
How many variables/groups does a relational RQ have?
2 or more variables, one group
How many variables/groups does a comparative RQ have?
2 or more variables; two or more groups
A relational RQ finds __
associations
A comparative RQ can determine __ and makes __
cause; predictions
Key words that indicate a one sided RQ:
more common, greater/less than
Key words that indicate a two sided RQ:
Association or difference
A hypothesis is a specific version of the RQ that: __; A form of RQ that establishes: __
summarizes key elements of a study; basis of statistical significance testing
The null hypothesis says __ and is the basis for ___. It estimates ___
Says there is no association or difference between groups; Basis for stats significance testing. Estimates probability that association or difference observed is due to chance
The null hypothesis estimates the probability that:
association or difference observed is due to chance
The alternative hypothesis says __
There is no association/difference between groups; not tested directly; “accepted” by default when Ho rejected
Type I error
Rejecting Ho when it is true; false-positive; Alpha= level of significance
Type II error
Failing to reject Ho when it is false; False-negative; Beta= level of significance
The effect size is an estimate of ___. Greek letter= ___. Typicall based on __
The size of an association or difference that you expect to see; delta; prior studies
Power is the probability of ___; or the ability to ___; power formula= __. Inadequate power=
Probability of correctly rejecting Ho if effect in population is greater than or equal to effect size; the ability to find a difference/association when it truly exists; power= 1- beta; inadequate power= type II error
P value is the probability of __ if __ is true. It is determined by ___. It is the calculated chance that ___ occurred. Reject Ho if:
statistically signifiant result if Ho is true; determined by statistical tests; calculated chance that type I error occured; p less than or equal to 0.05
With multiple hypotheses, the likelihood that at least one will achieve significance on basis of __ increases. Need to adjust __ which is done by:
- chance
- need to adjust alpha: Bonferroni= divided alpha by number of hypotheses; smaller alpha means increased sample size
Smaller alpha (with multiple hypotheses) means increased ___
sample size
An observational study design allows the study of __
associations
An experimental study design allows the manipulation of ___
predictor variables
5 criteria for endpoints:
defined, appropriate, objective, repeatable, measurable
A surrogate endpoint is a marker for ___. It must be biologically ___ and associated with ___. Examples (2)=
marker for the risk of an outcome; plausible; associated with outcome of interest
ex= lipid levels for CAD; bone density for risk of fracture
A composite endpoint combines ____. Examples:
combines the data of more than one outcome into a single analysis
ex: heart failure trial- hospitalization, worsening symptoms and death
easier to find significance
How are confounding variables controlled for in an experimental study?
Randomization
How are confounding variables controlled for in an observational study?
statistical methods