research design Flashcards
research design is the
overall plan for answering the research question
question should have
- nature of comparison
- type of setting
- population, sample
- independent and dependent variable
comparisons between two groups or more
- single group: 2 or more points in time (pre/post)
- single group under different circumstances or experiences (group vs individual therapy)
- based on relative rankings (severe vs mild autism)
- compare with samples from other studies
research designs also include
- methods to be used to contol variables (isolate dependent and independent variables)
- timing and frequency of data collection (when, relative to other events)
- setting (naturalistic vs laboratory)
- nature of communications with subjects (fully divulge or not)
dimensions along which designs can be described
- experimental vs non-experimental
- degree of structure imposed
- time dimension
- type of group comparisons between subjects and within subjects
- non-experimental
experimental
quantitative
non-experimental
qualitative
degree of structure imposed
how much we are controlling
time dimension
- longitudinal
- cross-sectional
longitudinal
looking for change in time
cross-sectional
collecting data at 2 points in time
multiple points of data collection secondary to
studying time related processes
determine time sequences
developing comparisons
enhancing research control
trend studies
periods of time
observing what’s going on with trends
cohort
when you take a small population (by age)
study them over time with respect to a phenomenon (subject)
panel studies
take same cohort and measure across 2 periods of time
follow up studies
how they feel about same topic in a period of time
ex 5 years down the line
cross section cohort
comparing 2 different cohorts follow up study can be a panel study
within subjects
in same group of people (more control of variables)
between subjects
different group of people
non-experimental
not manipulating anything (qualitative)
- retrospective
- prospective
retrospective
have an outcome
want to know what causes are (antecedent) study prior habits
prospective
know causing variables
going forward in time
see how many develop outcomes
usually do prospective after you gain evidence from
retrospective
cons of retrospective
memory might not be accurate
might get defensive
might not tell the truth
characteristics of a good design
- must be appropriate to question asked
- minimize biases that can distort results of study
- precision must be enhanced
- power should be adequately dealt with
biases result from
- differences among participants in groups
- researchers preconceptions
- use triangulation
differences among participants in groups
more so in non-random groups
researcher’s preconceptions minimize this
can do a double blind study
neither participant nor data collector knows specific research objectives
use triangulation to
reduce bias
at least 3 points of data collection
precision must be enhanced
sensitivity with which effect of independent variable relative to effects of extraneous variable (confounding) can be detected
want it high
power should be adequately dealt with
ability of design to create maximal contrast amongst group being compared
one can detect relationship between variables
experimental designs
characteristics of true experience
characteristics of true experience
- manipulation
- control
- randomization
manipulation
independent varibale
control
not getting any treatment
outside things that impact treatment
ex control environment
randomization
pick random from different population extreme view will be cancelled equal chance that they can be picked for any group -table of random #s -cluster randomization -matching
table of random #’s
flipping a coin, most reliable method for equating groups on all possible characteristics that could effect outcome of study
cluster
picking people in clusters, random, pick a bunch to represent zip code
matching
people in each group match and have equal numbers