Research Methods Flashcards
A researcher wants to study risk factors for a rare genetic condition. Which research method would be most suitable?
Case-control study, as it efficiently investigates rare diseases.
Cohort studies assess the relationship between exposures and outcomes by tracking participants over ____.
Time
What is the main limitation of cross-sectional studies?
They cannot establish causation due to lack of temporal sequence.
RCTs are like lab experiments for humans because ____.
They control variables and randomize participants to establish causation.
List two strengths and two limitations of cohort studies.
Strengths:
1. Establish temporal relationships
2. Study multiple outcomes.
Limitations:
1. Time-consuming
2. Subject to attrition.
A nutritionist monitors a population’s dietary habits and health status over 10 years. Which research method is this?
Nutritional surveillance, as it involves continuous, longitudinal monitoring.
Qualitative research explores ____, while quantitative research focuses on ____.
Why and how
what and how much
What are common sources of quantitative data for public health research?
Census data, NHMRC reports, AIHW data, and local hospital records.
A cross-sectional study is like taking a photograph because ____.
It provides a snapshot of a population at a single point in time.
A research team assigns participants to different dietary interventions and compares health outcomes. What research method is being used?
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).
Case-control studies rely on ____, such as interviews and medical records, to compare cases and controls.
Retrospective data collection
What is the key ethical consideration in RCTs?
Ensuring informed consent and balancing potential risks and benefits.
Describe how thematic analysis is used in qualitative research.
By identifying patterns, themes, and meanings in narrative or subjective data.
A public health researcher analyzes mortality rates and prevalence of chronic diseases in a specific region. What type of data are they using?
Quantitative data, specifically health indicators.
Quantitative research is like a math problem because ____.
It uses numbers and statistical techniques to draw conclusions.
Surveys systematically collect data about a population’s ____, ____, and ____.
Characteristics, behaviors, and opinions
A focus group explores the emotional impact of dietary restrictions on patients with diabetes. What research method is being applied?
Qualitative study design.
Why is recall bias a limitation in case-control studies?
It affects the accuracy of retrospective data provided by participants.
Nutritional surveillance is like keeping a health diary because ____.
It continuously tracks dietary habits and health changes over time.
Case-Control Study
Observational research design.
Investigates association between health outcomes and risk factors.
Compares individuals with health outcomes (cases) to those without (controls).
Cases and controls are similar in aspects (e.g., age, sex).
Relies on retrospective data (interviews, questionnaires, medical records).
Useful for studying rare diseases.
Identifies exposures, behaviours, and characteristics linked to health outcomes.
Generates hypotheses for further research.
Potential biases like recall bias are a limitation.
Cohort Study
Observational design.
Tracks a group (cohort) based on shared characteristics (e.g., diet, lifestyle).
Data collected at baseline, before disease onset.
Participants followed over time to assess disease development.
Assesses causal relationships and strength of exposure-outcome associations.
Common measure: relative risk.
Strength: Establishes temporal relationships and studies multiple outcomes.
Limitations: Time-consuming, costly, subject to attrition.
Cross-Sectional Study
Observational design.
Collects data at a single point in time (snapshot).
Useful for identifying associations and estimating prevalence.
Cannot establish causation (no temporal sequence).
Conducted via surveys, questionnaires, interviews.
Generates hypotheses and informs further research.
Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
Experimental design.
Randomly assigns participants to treatment or control groups.
Often uses blinding/masking to reduce bias.
Establishes causation and measures intervention efficacy.
Ethical considerations (informed consent).
Limitations: May lack real-world validity, resource-intensive, challenging for long-term effects.
Survey:
- Systematic collection of data about population characteristics, behaviours, or opinions.
- Single-point snapshot; prone to subjectivity.
Nutritional Surveillance:
- Continuous monitoring of nutritional status using biomarkers and anthropometry.
- Longitudinal; more objective than surveys.
- Useful for public health planning.
Qualitative Study Design
Captures nuanced human experiences, emotions, and perspectives.
Explores “lived experiences,” knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours.
Uses interviews, focus groups, and observations.
Involves open-ended questions.
Examples: in-depth interviews, Delphi technique, key informants.
Quantitative Study Design
Provides numerical data for statistical analysis.
Sources: NHMRC, AIHW, census data, local hospitals.
Analyzes trends, assesses interventions, identifies disparities, supports evidence-based decisions.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Qualitative: Explores meanings, perspectives; subjective data (e.g., interviews, thematic analysis).
Quantitative: Collects numerical data; statistical analysis (e.g., RCTs, surveys).
Strengths:
- Qualitative: Depth, context, exploratory.
- Quantitative: Statistical rigor, generalisability.
Research choice depends on goals (exploration vs testing hypotheses).
