Week 3: Research Concepts & Theories

Question 1

What are the main 6 research concepts?

Answer 1

• bias
• dependant variable
• external variable
• independent variable
• randomisation
• reliabilty

Question 2

Define reliability

Answer 2

The consistency or repeatability of a measurement

Question 3

Define validity

Answer 3

The extent to which a study shows what it purports to

Question 4

Define bias

Answer 4

Any systematic error in a study that results in an incorrect estimate of the true effect on an exposure on the outcome of interest

Question 5

Define external validity

Answer 5

The ability to generalise study findings to other contexts

Question 6

Define internal validity

Answer 6

Refers to how the research findings match reality

Question 7

Define randomisation

Answer 7

The process of randomly assigning a trial participant to the intervention or control group

Question 8

Define outcome

Answer 8

Measure of effectiveness, such as patient mortality, recurrence of event, hospital stay or patient experience

Question 9

Does a larger or smaller sample give a higher generalisability?

Answer 9

Larger

Question 10

What is a research paradigm?

Answer 10

A philosophical framework that the research is based on, simply providing a way of viewing the world

Question 11

Define epistemology

Answer 11

The branch of philosophy that explores the nature of knowledge

Question 12

Define ontology

Answer 12

The branch of philosophy that explores the nature of reality

Question 13

What 3 things makes up a research paradigm?

Answer 13

Research, epistemology, ontology

Question 14

What are the 4 research theories?

Answer 14

Positivism, post positivism, interpretivism, critical theory