Module 3 - Research Methods Flashcards by Rose Hsieh

What are the 3 components of Evidence-based practice?

Empirical Science: best tool for reliable & valid knowledge
Duty of care: base treatments on evidence
Scientific literacy: essential to understand research

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Theory

Hypothesis or explanation
Must prove true or false

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Empiricism

measurable

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Observable

Can be directly or indirectly measured

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Falsifiable

Theory can be rejecting or supporting

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The Scientific Method Process (3)

Theory, hypothesis is tested empirically (measured)
Results -> falsify / support hypothesis
Reject/ or tentatively accept theory

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2 main aims of research

Description
Explanation

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Description: 2 research types

Descriptive research
Correlational research

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Explanation: 1 research type

Experimental research

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Descriptive research features (3)

Detailed
Systematic
Ethical

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Case Studies (2)

Descriptive research
In-depth observation of a small number of cases

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Uses & Advantages
of Case Studies (3)

Describes processes in individual cases
Studies complex phenomena
Provides data for framing hypothesis

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Limitations
of Case Studies (4)

Generalisability of the population
Not replicable
Researcher bias
Cannot establish causation

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Naturalistic Observation

In-depth observation of a phenomena as it occurs in nature

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Uses & Advantages
of Naturalistic Observation (3)

Reveals phenomena as they exist outside laboratory
Allows study of complex phenomena not easily reproduced experimentally
Provides data for framing hypothesis

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Limitations
Of Naturalistic Observation (4)

Generalisability of the population
Observer effects: presence of observer may affect behaviour of participants
Not replicable
Cannot establish causation

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Survey

Ask people questions about their attitudes and behaviours

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Uses & advantages
of surveys (2)

Reveals attitudes and behaviours or a large sample of people
Allows quantification of attitudes or behaviours

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Limitations
Of surveys (2)

Self report bias
Cannot establish causation

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Correlational Research (2)

Examines the relationship of two or more variables
Used to predict one another

Uses & advantages
Of correlational research (2)

Reveals relationship between variables as they exist outside of the laboratory
Allows quantification of relationships between variables

Limitations
Of correlational research

Cannot establish causation

Correlation Coefficient (r) shows:

Direction (positive or negative)
Magnitude
0-0.1 = no trend
0.1 - 0.3 = weak trend
0.3 - 0.5 = moderate
0.5+ = strong
Relationship between 2 variables

Correlation Coefficient (r)
0

No relationship

Correlation Coefficient (r) 1

Perfect, Positive, linear relationship

Correlation Coefficient (r) -1

Perfect, Negative, linear relationship

Correlation Coefficient (r) -0.3

Moderate, negative relationship

Correlation Coefficient (r) -0.1

Weak, negative relationship

Scatterplot features (Correlation research)

2 variables plotted against 2 axes Strength of correlation (magnitude) depends on how closely the dots sit to the hypothetical line

Correlation Coefficient r=+1

/ Perfect, positive

Correlation Coefficient r=-1

\ Perfect, negative

Correlation Coefficient r=-0.3

\ scattered dots Weak, Negative

Correlation Coefficient r=-0.4

\ Moderate, negative

Correlation Coefficient r=0.5

/ Strong, positive

Correlation Coefficient r=0

No relationship

Third Variable Problem

Limitation of Correlational research Correlation ≠ Causation Eg. Just because there is an increase with ice cream sales with shark attacks does not mean ice cream consumption causes shark attacks There is a possibility of a third variable

Experimental research features (3)

Manipulation of variables (Independent Variables) Measure outcomes (dependent variables) establish causal relationship

Uses & Advantages Of Experimental Research

Demonstrates causal relationships Replicable Maximum control over relevant variables

Limitations Of experimental research

Generalisability outside of lab Difficulty in testing complex phenomena

Randomized Control Trial (RCT) (4) (Experimental Research)

Gold standard in experimental research Random allocation of control and experimental groups Variables (age, gender) are randomly spread across groups Double blind design reduces bias

Double blind experiment:

Participant and doctors are blind

Single blind

Participants are blind

Reliability

How consistent is the result going to be?

Retest reliability

A measure is reliable if it yields similar results after retest

Internal consistency

A measure is internally consistent if several ways of asking the same question yields similar results

Interrater reliability

If 2 different interviewers rate the same person, they should give the person a similar score

Validity

How relevant is the study?

Internal Validity

Have all of the likely possible confounding variables been identified, controlled, or eliminated?

External Validity

Has the research been conducted in such a way, that the results will generalize to the 'real world'?