Research Eval- Defintions Flashcards
Descriptive statistics:
used to characterize the shape, central tendency, and variability within a set of data, often with the intent to describe a population;
Measures of population characteristics are called parameters; A descriptive index computed from the sample data is called a statistic; Researchers utilize data
(statistics), to estimate population parameters.
External Validity
Ability to apply results obtained from a study population to a broader population. Also called generalizability.
Cohort Study
an epidemiologic investigation that follows groups with common characteristics over a specified period of time, strongest observational study design
Probability:
the likelihood that any one event will occur, given all the possible outcomes, shown as p.
Alternative hypothesis (Ha or H1)
The statement that establishes a relationship between variables being assessed
Biostatistics:
the branch of statistics that deals with data relating to living organisms; uses the tools of statistics to help answer research questions in medicine,
biology, and public health.
Ratio
characterized by the presence of absolute zero on the scale (no negative values); An absence of any of the trait being measured (e.g. ht/weight; Most precise
Quantitative Research:
follows logical positivism (logical controlled relationships between variables), Has numbers and real data and Can apply statistical evaluation. More objective.
Nominal
named categories with no implied order (classifications); Gender, race, ABO blood type, group; lowest level of data tyoe
Prospective Study
identify a group of people who are already taking a particular treatment or have an exposure, follow them forward over time, and then compare their outcomes with a similar group that has not been affected by the treatment or exposure being studied
A narrative in the professional literature that identifies a single incident and discusses pertinent factors related to the patient
Case-report (case-sudy)
Scientific Research:
the process of investigating facts and theories in a systematic way to examine relationships among clinical phenomena to generate evidence for decision-making.
Quasi-experimental studies:
degree of control limited by a variety of factors, but results remain obtainable.
Alternative hypothesis: AKA
the “research hypothesis”; Hypothesis stating the expected relationship between independent and dependent variables; If there IS
a statistically significant difference, then the researchers “ACCEPT” the alternative hypothesis and “REJECT” the null hypothesis.
Foreground Question
more common type of clinical question, focuses on specific knowledge to inform decisions about patient management (includes PICO).
Study Characteristics
Meta-analysis
A way of combining data from many different research studies. A meta-analysis is a statistical process that combines the findings from individual studies
A box plot graph is a useful way to….
Demonstrate visually the spread of scores in a distribution
Covariate
An extraneous variable that is statistically controlled in an analysis of covariance, so that the relationship between the independent and dependent
variables is analyzed with the effects of the extraneous factor removed.
Peer reviewed journals:
are scholarly journals that publish articles that have passed through this peer review process.
Impact factor:
measures how frequently a journal’s articles have been cited elsewhere in the previous 2 years.
Double blinding:
Allocation is concealed from both groups (researchers and subjects)
Sampling error
the tendency for sample values to differ from population values.
Measures of population characteristics are called
parameters
Frequency distribution:
a table of rank ordered scores that shows the number of times each value occurred.