Reasoning about the design and execution of research Flashcards
scientific method
a series of eight steps for the generation of new knowledge.
- initial steps focus on generating a hypothesis
- intermediate steps focus on testing the hypothesis
- final steps involves publishing and providing the results for further testing of the hypothesis
Finer method
assess the value of a research question on the basis of whether or not it is feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant.
during research we manipulate the
independent variable and observe changes in the dependent
Controls
are used to correct for any influences of an intervention that are not part of the model. Controls may be positive or negative.
Positive controls
ensure that change in the dependent variable occurs when expected
Negative controls
ensure that no change in the dependent variable occurs when none is expected.
accuracy (validity)
the quality of the approximating the true value
precision (reliability)
the quality of being consistent in approximations
cohort studies
record exposures throughout time and then assess the rate of a certain outcome.
Cross sectional studies
assess both the exposure and outcome at the same point in time
Case-control studies
assess outcome status and then assess for exposure history .
Hill’s criteria
causality in observational studies is supported by this, which include temporality, strength, dose-response relationships, consistency, plausibility, consideration of alternative explanations, experiments, specificity, and coherence.
Bias
systematic and results from a problem during data collection.
Selection bias
in which the sample differs from the population, is most common in human subjects research.
detection bias
arises form educated professionals using their knowledge in an inconsistent way by searching for an outcome disproportionately in certain populations.
Hawthorne effect
results from changes in behavior-by subject, experimenter, or both-that occur as a result of the knowledge that the subject is being observed.
confounding
an error in data analysis that results from a common connection of both the dependent and independent variables to a third variable.
what are the four principles of medical ethics
beneficence, non maleficence, respect for patient autonomy, and justice
Respect for persons
includes autonomy, informed consent, and confidentiality
justice
dictates which study question are worth pursuing and which subjects to use
Beneficence
requires us to do the most good with the least harm. WE cannot preform an intervention without equipoise–a lack of knowledge about which arm of research study is better for the subject.
populations
are all of the individual who share a set of characteristics. Population data are called parameters.
samples
a subset of population that are used to estimate population data. Sampled data are called statistcs .
Internal validity
refers to the identification of causality in a study between the independent and dependent variables. External validity refers to the ability of a study to be generalized to the population that it describes
Statistical significance
refers to the low likelihood of the experimental findings being due to chance
Clinical significance
refers to the usefulness or importance of experimental findings to patient care or patient outcomes
