Research Methods

Question 1

The systematic process by which scientists ask questions, develop
testable hypotheses, gather data, conduct experiments, and then analyze, interpret, publish,
and verify the results of those investigations.

Answer 1

Scientific Method

Question 2

A testable hypothesis is one for which an experiment can be used to verify
a clear yes or no answer.

Answer 2

Testable Hypothesis:

Question 3

Good science must be something other investigators can replicate and thereby verify.

Answer 3

Verification:

Question 4

The process by which research submitted for publication is first reviewed and
critiqued by one’s colleagues prior to publication.

Answer 4

Peer Review

Question 5

Laboratory research conducted in a highly controlled
environment; NOT on human subjects. This type of research allows investigators to
have the strictest level of control over all possible variables

Answer 5

Experimental or “Basic Science” Research:

Question 6

Research conducted outside the laboratory, often on human subjects.

Answer 6

Human Subjects Research:

Question 7

There are two kinds of Human Subjects Research:

Answer 7

experimental and observational

Question 8

Experimental =
Research involves a specific intervention controlled by the investigator.
Subjects are separated into control and treatment groups. (e.g., to test the efficacy of a new
drug, patients with allergies are separated into groups randomly and given either the drug
or placebo).

Answer 8

Experimental =

Question 9

Investigator observes data without direct control over the variables, or
implementation of interventions. (e.g., an investigator reviews case studies from COPD
[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] patients and examines demographic information
and lifestyle choices in an attempt to identify risk factors associated with COPD).

Answer 9

Observational=

Question 10

do good to the patients, patients are most imp here

Answer 10

Beneficence

Question 11

Doctors and researchers have an obligation to not harm their patients or
study participants.

Answer 11

Nonmaleficence

Question 12

Autonomy

Answer 12

patients have a right to know exactly whats going on and make the decision whether or not they want to participate
Physicians and researchers have
an obligation to inform patients or study participants and allow them to make decisions
about their own health and treatment.

Question 13

 Justice

Answer 13

Equal treatment of all people = equality

Question 14

cohort study

Answer 14

looking at health outcomes over a period of time.

Question 15

cross sectional study

Answer 15

Takes data from a single point in time

Question 16

case control study

Answer 16

Comparing people who have the disease vs who doesn’t

Question 17

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE =

Answer 17

The variable MANIPULATED or directly changed by the
investigator. Also called the “predictor variable.” It can be thought of as the “cause” and
always goes on the x-axis.

Question 18

DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Answer 18

The Variable MEASURED as a response to changes in the
independent variable. Also called the “outcome variable.” It can be thought of as the “effect”
and always goes on the y-axis.

Question 19

Control Group

Answer 19

A group or trial in which all conditions and environmental factors are
IDENTICAL to the treatment group, EXCEPT for the treatment.

Question 20

Negative control group

Answer 20

they are given a treatment and it is expected that no results should come from it. Nothing should happen

Question 21

Positive control group

Answer 21

they are given treatment and something is suppose to happen .

Question 22

Selection Bias:

Answer 22

Selection of participants are specific and not random.

Question 23

Specific real area bias:

Answer 23

When you study a specific area that does not include the population as a whole

Ex: A study of U.S.eating habits conducted at the gym that leaves out all those who do not attend the gym is an example of ( citation - wiki)

Question 24

Self selection bias:

Answer 24

the people participating in the study has the ability to chose whether or not they want to even participate. They could choose not to.

Question 25

Pre- Screening or Advertising Bias:

Answer 25

Occurs when the screening or advertising process itself results in an unrepresentative sample

Question 26

Exclusion Bias:

Answer 26

This bias excludes an entire group from the population

Question 27

Healthy User Bias :

Answer 27

The people included in the study are healthier than the the other participants

Question 28

Berkson’s Fallacy:

Answer 28

Involves a selection of applicants from the hospitals that are less healthy than the general population.

less healthy

Question 29

Overmatching :

Answer 29

Negative outcome resulting from what is normally a good practice

Question 30

Observer bias:

Answer 30

This is when you know the goals of the study and let that influence how the study will go

Question 31

Demand Characteristics:

Answer 31

Participants form and interpretation of the experiment’s purpose and unconsciously change their behavior to fit that interpretation

Question 32

Information Bias:

Answer 32

When the data that is recorded in wrong or inaccurate.

Question 33

Confounding Variables:

Answer 33

A confounding variable is an “extra” variable that you didn’t account for. They can ruin an experiment and give you useless results.

Question 34

Placebo Effect:

Answer 34

a beneficial effect, produced by a placebo drug or treatment, that cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient’s belief in that treatment.

Question 35

Detection Bias:

Answer 35

Systematic differences between groups caused by inconsistency in the method of detection or diagnosis

Question 36

Performance Bias :

Answer 36

Each group receives a difference in treatment.

Question 37

Experimenter Bias :

Answer 37

Errors introduced into a study due to the expectations of the investigator.

Question 38

Confirmation Bias

Answer 38

when someone favors info that confirms what they themselves believe.

Question 39

Reporting Bias:

Answer 39

resulting from some findings being reported and other findings not being reported.