Module 2 Flashcards
What does POEM mean?
Paradigm
Ontology
Epistemology
Methodology
What are 3 health research paradigms?
positivist, constructivist, realist
Explain the POEM for the positivist paradigm.
P - positivist
O - realist: there is an objective reality
E - representational: symbols can be used to describe and explain reality
M - quantitative: analysis of numbers, hypothesis generation and testing, experimental
What is the POEM for the constructivist paradigm?
P - constructivist
O - relativist: reality constructed inter-subjectively through meanings/understandings developed socially/experimentally
E - subjectivist: we cannot separate ourselves from what we know
M - qualitative: analysis of words, meanings emerge from research process, naturalistic methods (interviewing, observation, text analysis)
Describe the POEM for the realist paradigm.
P - realist
O - realist: there is an objective reality BUT out ability to know reality is imperfect as we can only know reality from our own perspective of it
E - subjectivist: we cannot separate ourselves from what we know BUT objectivity remains an ideal
M - mixed: quantitative and qualitative, opportunities for discovery vs. testing a priori hypotheses. natural settings/situational and contextual data is collected
What are the 3 principles of experimental research?
randomization, local control, replication
Explain the 2 broad types of laboratory based research.
basic research, preclinical studies
What are 3 kinds of basic and preclinical research?
biochemistry research, cell culture-based research, animal model-based research
What are the 2 types of “with humans” experimental research?
prevention trial, therapeutic trial
both types have 2 other branches: randomized control trials and group trials
What is an observational study? How does it differ from an experimental study?
researcher collects info about exposures/IVs and outcomes/DVs
researcher does not control study conditions
What are the two main types of observational studies?
analytic studies, descriptive studies
What are the four kinds of analytic observational studies?
cohort studies, case-control studies, analytic cross-sectional studies, analytic ecological studies
What are the two kinds of descriptive observational studies?
descriptive cross-sectional studies, descriptive ecological studies
What are three data sources used in quantitative health research?
observation/measurement, surveys, clinical/administrative data
Define random error.
not really an error; produced by differences between samples taken from a population; one sample is used to make inferences applying to the whole population/universe
What is the null hypothesis?
a predetermined fact or statement the researcher aims to refute/reject/test
Define type I error.
null is true and it is rejected; probability of making this error (type I error rate) given by p-value or alpha
What is a type II error?
null accepted when it is false; probability of making this error (type II error rate) given by beta
What are the three main factors affecting statistical power?
sample size (larger sample, greater power of study)
effect size/estimate (the more extreme the expected finding, the easier it will be to find with a given sample size)
alpha (type I error rate) and/or standard deviation (for continuous measures) both determine how likely it is that you are “right” so smaller alpha means greater probability that you are not wrong
Explain the concept of confidence intervals.
used to deal with random error
define range of plausible values for true population parameters
consists of 2 numbers: upper and lower confidence limits
width determines precision of measurement (narrower, more precise)
What are the four types of qualitative research designs?
case study, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory
What are the data sources used in qualitative health research?
observation, analyzing texts/documents, interviews, recording/transcribing
Define three common steps in the data analysis process used in qualitative studies.
coding: chunking data (typical form is open text) and naming those chunks
identifying themes: looking for patterns across the codes
searching for meaning: reflection on themes
Define saturation.
feature of qualitative analysis/research; function of both richness and thickness of data
point where additional data does not provide new info
What are the two types of mixed method research designs?
sequential: quantitative and qualitative data are collected at different times
concurrent: qualitative and quantitative data are collected simultaneously
Explain the sequential mixed method research designs and compare/contrast between them.
exploratory: qualitative data collection and analyses come first and then quantitative data collection/analyses are done; to explore a phenomenon; good strategy for developing/testing a new instrument
explanatory: quantitative data collection and analyses are completed and then qualitative data collection is completed; to provide context/more in-depth explanation/understanding of quantitative study result
List and explain concurrent mixed method research designs.
triangulation: interpretation of data is done together; used to confirm, cross-validate, corroborate findings from each paradigm of the study
nested: one paradigm takes priority over the other; used when two methods answer different questions or the same question at different levels (i.e. individual vs. community perceptions)
What are the four pillars of health research?
biomedical
clinical
social, cultural, environmental, and population health
health services and systems
Which research designs are used in biomedical research?
basic and preclinical experimental designs
Which research designs are used in clinical research?
randomized control trials (which test new ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease), observational quantitative study designs
Which research designs are used in social, cultural, environmental, and population health
research?
community trials, quantitative observational designs, qualitative designs, mixed methods
Which research designs are used in health services and systems research?
community trials, quantitative observational designs, qualitative designs, mixed methods
What are the two specific types of saturation?
descriptive: no new codes, categories, themes emerge from data analysis
theoretical: data fully explains how codes, categories, themes interconnect
