Risk Factors

Question 1

define the term risk factor

Answer 1

environmental and genetic factors that can increase or decrease the risk of developing a disease

Question 2

correlation vs causation

Answer 2

correlation
a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things

causation
the action of causing something

Question 3

list a few of the risk factors for lung disease (5)

Answer 3

• smoking
• air pollution
• genetic make up
• infections
• occupation

Question 4

in all scientific research, we use statistical tests to calculate ___________

Answer 4

P values

Question 5

what is the accepted threshold within P values for a true biological effect?

Answer 5

a P value of less than 0.05

Question 6

what does a P value of less than 0.05 mean?

Answer 6

there is a significant difference/correlation in the experiment and the probability that the difference/correlation is due to chance is less than 5%

Question 7

when is the experiment proved to not be significant?

Answer 7

when the P value is above 0.05

Question 8

list the three statistical tests that are used to produce a P value

Answer 8

T test

correlation coefficient

chi-squared

Question 9

when is a t test used?

Answer 9

when comparing the differences between two means from different groups

Question 10

when is a correlation coefficient used?

Answer 10

when assessing the strength of relationship between two continuous variables

Question 11

in addition to P values, the correlation coefficient also provides an ____________

Answer 11

R value

Question 12

R values closer to +1 indicate a __________ _________________ _______________________

R values closer to 0 indicate ___ ___________

R values closer to -1 indicate a _________ _______________ _____________________

Answer 12

strong positive correlation
no correlation
strong negative correlation