Wk1-3

Question 1

what is research integrity?

Answer 1

conducting research in ways that allow others to have trust and confidence in the methods used and the findings

Question 2

key elements of research integrity

Answer 2

honesty
rigour
transparency
care and respect of participants

Question 3

where can ethical issues arise?

Answer 3

1. research question
   -is it new?
   -is it relevant?
2. research design
   -suitable?
   -minimal ethical concerns?
3. num of participants
   -appropriate?
   -feasible?
4. researcher experience
   -track-record and background
   -appropriate supervision?
5. risks, benefits and burdens to participants
   -balance between harm and benefit?
   -contingencies to mitigate harm

6.recruitment and compensation
-what makes a reasonable payment
-are they just participating for the money?

7. respecting confidentiality
8. publication of results
9. informed consent
   -ability to withdraw
   -voluntary and well informed decision?

Question 4

what is the scientific process?

Answer 4

observation/questions
research topic area
hypothesis
test with experiment
analyse data
report conclusions

Question 5

which studies have the highest quality of evidence and lowest risk of bias?

Answer 5

systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Question 6

which studies have the lowest quality of evidence and highest risk of bias?

Answer 6

editorials
expert opinion

Question 7

what is the format of research papers?

Answer 7

abstract
introduction/background
methods
results
discussion

Question 8

why are research designs important?

Answer 8

provide framework of methods and techniques
tells us how a study is conducted

Question 9

what are cross-sectional designs?

Answer 9

assess a phenomenon at one point in time
measures different samples (or only one sample once)
provides snapshot at any given point in time
examines trends and changes at societal level
e.g. health survey for England

Question 10

what are longitudinal designs?

Answer 10

assess a phenomenon at several points in time
measures the same sample over time
provides information on change at an individual level
examines changes in the same people over time

Question 11

what are observational studies

Answer 11

no interventions made
provides information on associations between an exposure and an event

Question 12

what are experimental studies

Answer 12

involves an intervention
allows for the determination of cause and effect

Question 13

what is a single cross-sectional design?

Answer 13

one sample of participants recruited from large target population
information obtained from sample only once
e.g. research question: relationship between smartphone use and academic performance

Question 14

what are different group cross-sectional designs

Answer 14

compares two or more groups at one time point

Question 15

what is case-control design?

Answer 15

usually retrospective
outcome measured before exposure
‘cases’ have the outcome e.g. heart disease
‘controls’ do not have the outcome
example research question: Return to play, performance, and career
duration after anterior cruciate ligament
rupture: A case–control study in the five
biggest football nations in Europe

Question 16

what is retrospective cohort design?

Answer 16

looks backwards
examines data that already exists
tries to identify risk factors for particular conditions

Question 17

what is prospective cohort design

Answer 17

looks forward
watches for outcomes (e.g. development of disease) and relates this to suspected risk factors or protective factors

Question 18

what is randomised control trial (RCT) design?

Answer 18

looks forward
includes intervention or treatment
participants randomised into control or intervention groups
follows groups over time to determine differences in outcomes

Question 19

what is quasi experimental design

Answer 19

intervention study that DOES NOT randomise participants or have a control group

Question 20

what are feasibility studies

Answer 20

research done before a main study to determine whether the methods are feasible and acceptable

Question 21

what are pilot studies

Answer 21

a small scale study conducted prior to large scale experiment to test and refine the procedures

Question 22

what is an aim

Answer 22

a statement describing the purpose of the study

Question 23

what is a research question

Answer 23

a specific question showing the primary aim of the research study

Question 24

what is a research hypothesis

Answer 24

a specific, clear and testable statement about the possible outcome of a scientific research study

Question 25

what are qualitative approaches

Answer 25

involves observations described in words
provides understanding of experiences, perceptions, motivations, intentions, behaviours based on descriptions and observations
example methods: semi-structured interviews, focus groups, participant observation

Question 26

what are quantitative approaches

Answer 26

observations measure in numbers
based on numerical data and usually seeks to establish causal relationships and/or differences between variables
example methods: surveys, randomised control trials, laboratory experiments