Quant and Qual data to answer research Q (wk3) Flashcards
What is a study aim and example:
-A statement describing the purpose of a study
-Example -> To compare the effects on consuming either a Mediterranean-type diet or a high-protein diet on weight loss in adults with type 2 diabetes
What is a research question and example:
-A specific question describing the primary aim of the research study
-Example -> Does weight loss differ in adults with type 2 diabetes who consume either a Mediterranean-type diet or a high-protein diet?
What is a research hypothesis?
-A specific, clear, and testable statement about the possible outcomes of a research study (can be in the form of a null or a directional hypothesis)
What is quantitative data (with examples of methods)?
-Based on numerical data and usually seeks to establish causal relationships and/or differences between variables
-Methods -> surveys, RCT’s, laboratory experiments
What is qualitative data (with examples of methods)?
-Provides understanding of experiences, perceptions, motivations, intentions, behaviours based on description/observation
-Methods -> Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, participant observations
-The choice between quant or qual methods will influence the research question
Identify qualitative methods:
-In-depth semi-structured interviews, demographic characteristics to contextualise findings and quotes, more subjective, word base, more in-depth but fewer participants
Identify quantitative methods:
-Provide numerical information, more objective, number-based, less in-depth but more breadth of information with more participants, fixed response options
Describe different study types and where they sit on the continuum of increasing evidence
-Mechanistic/ feasibility study
-Sit at the pre-clinical/lowest level of the continuum of increasing evidence
-No. of ppt’s -> 10-20
-Small sample size due to in-depth mechanisms being studied with laboratory procedures.
-In-vitro/vivo mechanistic studies are used to derive and test hypotheses concerning the effect of a specific dietary variable on physical, chemical or biological properties under controlled environmental conditions
Describe different study types and where they sit on the continuum of increasing evidence
-Small-scale RCT
-Sits on the second level of the continuum of increasing evidence
-No of ppt’s = 30-100 (15 per group, intervention v control)
-START -> Stroke: A randomised trial of exercise or relaxation - similar to a pilot study
Describe different study types and where they sit on the continuum of increasing evidence
-Large scale RCT
-Sit in the middle/3rd level of the continuum of increasing evidence
-No of ppt’s = 1000, can use both quantitative and qualitative data
Describe different study types and where they sit on the continuum of increasing evidence
-Secondary data analysis
-Sit at the 4th level of the continuum of increasing evidence
-No of ppt’s = 100,000
-Research groups can use existing data or use cryopreserved biological samples to generate new data
-It’s a method that involves using existing data collected by others, which saves time and resources and allows researchers to investigate research questions using large-scale data sets that are often inclusive of under-represented groups
Describe different study types and where they sit on the continuum of increasing evidence
-Systematic review and meta-analysis
-At the top/5th level of the continuum of increasing evidence
-No. of ppt’s = 1,000,000
-A meta-analysis will provide a non-valid answer if it includes that are not valid
-A systematic review collects all possible studies related to a given topic and design, and reviews and analyses their results
-There are no direct comparisons of patients, summary stats are calculated for each trial, individual estimates are pooled (which gives more precise estimate of effect size) and interpretation/odd ratio
