Midterm Review

Question 1

What should we consider while critically reviewing an article?

Answer 1

Who was the population being tested?
How was the sample selected? Was it randomly selected from the intended (target) patient population?
Does the sample fairly represent the target population?
What was the independent variable(s)? How was it operationalized?
What was the dependent variable(s)? How was it operationalized?

Question 2

What is the primary advantage of a randomized controlled trial?

Answer 2

Eliminates bias
Balances the groups in the study

Question 3

What are extraneous variables?

Answer 3

Factors not directly related to the purpose of the study, but that may affect the dependent variable and, thus, the results of the study
Extraneous variables are often sources of confounding and bias

Question 4

What are intrinsic factors?

Answer 4

Variables that represent personal characteristics or attributes of the participant such as maturation, healing, and aging– Maturation

Question 5

What are extrinsic factors?

Answer 5

Variables from the environment and situation such as changes in rules and regulations (e.g., laws and policies), or a patient seeking additional treatment outside the study– History

Question 6

What are the 3 things that a true experiment requires?

Answer 6

Independent variable (antecedent) is manipulated by the researcher and the dependent variable (consequent) is measured
Concurrent control group (placebo) or comparison group (usual care) is incorporated in the design
Subjects are assigned to groups using a randomization or pseudo-randomization process