Research Methods

Question 1

Difference between experiment and observational study?

Answer 1

In an obersvational study, no attempt is made to change a varibale in order to affect an outcome. Outcomes are simply measured without any sort of controlled variable

Question 2

Important aspect of cross-sectional study

Answer 2

Looks at one point in time, does not capture any sort of change

Question 3

Trends, cohorts, and panel studies are what type of study?

Answer 3

longitudinal

boards often just say cohort for any longitudinal

Question 4

Strength and weakness of observational study:

Answer 4

o Strengths:
Often incorporate probability sampling for generalizability
Great tool for building a knowledge base and exploring new topics
Might allow us to answer some questions that controlled studies cannot (for moral and ethical reasons)

o Weaknesses:
Validity of measures across cultures (if using survey)
Findings are associations or correlations, not causality
Causality requires time order, non-spuriousness, and association
Often rely on survey self-reports, not actual behavior (but can incorporate other types of data, e.g., chart reviews, multiple reporters)

Question 5

In order to justify causality in an experiment, what 4 things are necessary?

Answer 5

1) Correlation/Association,
2) “Makes sense” (plausible),
3) reproducible/consistent,
4) Temporal Order

Question 6

Hawthorne Effect?

Answer 6

Researcher attention to behavior can change behavior

Question 7

Defining aspect of the case-control study design:

Answer 7

You are looking at retrospective data!

o Often compares diseases or events or exposures that have happened already.

Question 8

4 phases of clincial trials:

Answer 8

•Phase 1: normal healthy volunteers (drug testing)
o Safety and side effects
•Phase 2:
o Ideal dosage
o Healthy or unhealthy individuals
•Phase 3:
o Experimental treatment vs control
•Phase 4:
o Continued evaluation of FDA approved therapy

Question 9

Incidence vs Prevalence

Answer 9

o Incidence refers to how common new cases of disease are at a specific period in time. For example, epidemiologists may collect data about the new cases of influenza during one week at a school.

o Prevalence refers to the presence of a disease at a specific period, and measures all cases. For example, epidemiologists may want to know how many people in Minnesota between 50-55 years of age have ever had a heart attack.

Question 10

Etiology=

Answer 10

the cause

Question 11

confoundign variable?

Answer 11

Variable that is itself related to both the factor and disease, rather than the factor itself being necessarily related to the disease