PRELIMS 1: Intro, Types, Design, Questionare & Hypothesis Flashcards
Q1: What is research?
A: A systematic and replicable process that identifies and defines problems within specified boundaries.
Q3: Why is research considered empirical?
A: Because it is based on observable and verifiable evidence rather than theory or belief.
Q2: What are the five key characteristics of research?
A: Systematic, logical, empirical, reductive, and replicable.
Q5: Why must research be replicable?
A: To allow verification of results and ensure reliability in different settings.
Q6: What does “systematic” mean in research?
A: It follows an organized and structured method of inquiry.
Q4: What is clinical research?
A: A structured process of investigating clinical conditions to establish relationships and improve decision-making.
Q7: What is the main difference between basic and applied research?
A: Basic research seeks to develop theories, while applied research solves practical problems.
Q10: How does research advance knowledge?
A: By systematically investigating unknown phenomena and providing evidence-based conclusions.
Q8: Why is logical reasoning important in research?
A: It ensures that conclusions are based on sound principles and valid arguments.
Q9: What does “reductive” mean in research?
A: It simplifies complex information into key findings for better understanding.
Q1: What are the two main types of research?
A: Qualitative and quantitative research.
Q2: What is the focus of qualitative research?
A: Understanding a phenomenon through narrative descriptions and open-ended questions.
Q4: What is experimental research?
A: A study where variables are manipulated to determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Q3: How does quantitative research differ from qualitative research?
A: It uses numerical data and statistical analysis to measure outcomes.
Q5: What is non-experimental research?
A: A study that observes variables without direct manipulation (e.g., surveys, case studies).
Q6: What is the goal of descriptive research?
A: To document characteristics or behaviors of a specific group or phenomenon.
Q8: What is exploratory research?
A: A study that examines a phenomenon to explore its dimensions and relationships.
Q3: What is a dependent variable?
A: The outcome that is measured in a study, influenced by the independent variable.
Q5: What is a confounding variable?
A: A factor that might interfere with the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
Q7: How does correlational research differ from experimental research?
A: Correlational research identifies relationships between variables but does not establish causation.
Q9: What is an example of applied research?
A: Studying the effects of electrical stimulation on reducing muscle spasm.
Q10: What is a quasi-experiment?
A: A study that manipulates variables but lacks random assignment of participants.
Q1: What are the two major types of research design?
A: Experimental and non-experimental design.
Q2: What is the purpose of a research design?
A: To outline how a study will be conducted, including methods, data collection, and analysis.
Q8: What is the purpose of a pilot study?
A: To test the feasibility of a study before conducting it on a larger scale.
Q4: What is an independent variable?
A: The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
Q7: What is a control group?
A: A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment, used for comparison.
Q6: Why is randomization important in research?
A: It reduces bias and ensures that groups are comparable.
Q9: What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies?
A: Cross-sectional studies observe data at one point in time, while longitudinal studies track changes over time.
Q1: What is the purpose of a research question?
A: To define the focus and direction of a study.
Q3: Why must a research question be answerable?
A: To ensure the study can be conducted using available methods and data.
Q2: What are the characteristics of a good research question?
A: Clear, focused, feasible, relevant, and requires analysis.
Q10: What are the ethical considerations in research design?
A: Informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm to participants.
Q4: What are the three types of research questions?
A: Descriptive, relationship, and difference questions.
Q5: What is a PICO framework used for?
A: Formulating research questions in clinical research (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome).
Q6: Why should a research question not be too broad?
A: It makes data collection and analysis difficult and unfocused.
Q8: How does a research question influence study design?
A: It determines the population, data collection methods, and type of analysis used.
Q9: What does “feasibility” mean in the context of a research question?
A: The question should be practical to investigate with available resources.
Q10: Why should a research question be relevant?
A: To ensure the study contributes meaningful knowledge to the field.
Q2: What are the two main types of hypotheses?
A: Null hypothesis (H₀) and research hypothesis (H₁).
Q1: What is a hypothesis?
A: A predictive statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
Q3: What is a null hypothesis (H₀)?
A: A statement that there is no relationship between the variables being studied.
Q7: What is a causal hypothesis?
A: A statement suggesting one variable directly influences another.
Q8: Why must a hypothesis be testable?
A: To ensure it can be verified or refuted through scientific methods.
Q5: What is an example of a directional hypothesis?
A: “Increased physical activity leads to a significant reduction in blood pressure.”
Q4: What is a research hypothesis (H₁)?
A: A statement predicting a relationship between variables, either directional or non-directional.
Q6: What is an associative hypothesis?
A: A statement predicting a correlation between variables without implying causation.
Q10: What is Type II error in hypothesis testing?
A: Failing to reject a false null hypothesis (false negative).
Q9: What is Type I error in hypothesis testing?
A: Rejecting a true null hypothesis (false positive).
