Week 2

Question 1

Learning outcomes (stuff u make sure u know)

Answer 1

• Differentiate between a clinical question and a research question
• Develop a concise research question
• Differentiate between different types of hypothesis
• Describe a research purpose statement

Question 2

What is the difference between a clinical and a research question?

Question 3

How do you frame a clinical question?

Answer 3

The question arises from a clinical situation
Used as basis to search literature
PICO (T)

Question 4

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 4

Formal a priori statement of the expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in
a specified population that suggests an answer to the research question, the statement that
predicts the outcomes of a study

Question 5

examples of research questions

Answer 5

Does vitamin C intake prevent influenza in older people?
Did the “back to back” campaign improve SIDS rates in newborn infants?
Does eating spinach give you bigger muscles?

Question 6

What are variables?

Answer 6

A variable is any characteristics, number, or quantity that
can be measured or counted. A variable may also be called
a data item. Age, sex, socio-economic class, country of birth,
capital expenditure, class grades, eye colour, height, weight
are examples of variables.
A variable is an attribute or property in which organisms vary
(people, events, objects).

Question 7

The independent variable (X

Answer 7

Stands “alone” and is not changed by the other variables; it is independent
* In experimental research: manipulated by the researcher
* In non-experimental (eg observational research): observed by the researcher in relation
to its effect on the dependent variable (it is assumed to have occurred naturally)

Question 8

The dependent variable (Y)

Answer 8

• Being measured/ observed/ tested in an experiment: outcome
• It is assumed to be impacted on by the independent variable: it is “dependent” on other
  variables

Question 9

Causal Relationship statement

Answer 9

Cause and effect versus associative

Question 10

Simple Relationship statement

Answer 10

Relationship between two variables

Question 11

Complex

Answer 11

Relationship between three or more variables

Question 12

Directional hypothesis

Answer 12

States which way the relationship should exist

Question 13

Nondirectional

Answer 13

States that the relationship exists, but not the direction

Question 14

Null hypothesis

Answer 14

opposite of hypothesis

Question 15

5 components of a clinical question

Answer 15

1. Population
2. Intervention
3. Comparison
4. Outcome
5. Time

PICOT

Question 16

Examples of clinical questions

Answer 16

Do children younger than 12 years pose a higher infection potential for immunosuppressed patients than visitors older than 12 years?

In a population of hospitalized older adults, is the onset of new urinary incontinence associated with the use of continence products (incontinence pads, urinary catheters, or independent toileting)?