Quiz 1 Material Flashcards
Generally, what is the purpose of research?
To provide a careful(ly planned), objective, systematic, and structured process to solve problems or answer questions
Why is it important to understand the findings reported in the research literature related to a topic of interest before planning a new study?
It will help to inform what questions are relevant or important and will allow for the creation of an educated guess (hypothesis).
How does the research hypothesis relate to the research question?
It is an educated guess based on an understanding of the research literature that attempts to answer the research question.
What is included in the methodology for a research study?
What the researcher needs to do and in what order: design, participant criteria, number of participants, protocol, apparatus/instruments, statistical tests for analysis,
What is pilot testing and why is it important?
It is a small-scale test to determine if certain procedures are workable, the data can address the question, and that it will be a wise investment of time to conduct a full-blown study.
Can prevent wasted time and energy
What causes the design of a study to be described as mixed methods?
When it uses both quantitative and qualitative approaches within the same study
What are the characteristics of a good problem statement?
Includes major independent and dependent variables and, if applicable, the population of interest
Important, interesting, novel, researchable, practical, clearly stated, timely, and inline with the priorities of the funding agencies
What are the typical aspects of the introduction section of a research proposal?
- brief intro to topic (context/background)
- how research fits within current knowledge/practice
- identify gap project will address
- logical lead-in to research question/purpose statement
- research hypothesis
- justifies need/significance
- explains operational definitions
rational that captures interest and convinces worthiness of investigation
What is meant by the term “operational variable”? Provide an example of an operational variable that might be defined in a study from your discipline.
An operational definition describes exactly what the variables are and how they are measured within the context of your study.
Example: Symptomatic hypotension will be defined as below-average blood pressure accompanied by symptoms of light headedness and fainting.
What are the typical components of the literature review section of research proposal or paper?
- overview of topic by logical sub-topics
- places proposed study (ps) in context of existing literature
- how ps is similar to/varies from studies
- critically analyzes/appraises existing literature
- ID gaps/weaknesses in lit
- justifies & builds case for research question
What are the typical components (sub-sections of the Methods section of a research proposal?
- Ethics
- Design
- Location/setting
- participants (description)
- instruments (description)
- interventions (description)
- procedures (4 data)
- data/statistical analysis (plan)
What is typically included in the Discussion section of a research proposal?
- potential applications (2 clinical/field)
- perceived limitations of proposed study
- build on proposed project in future research
What is typically included in the Appendices of a research proposal?
- Copy of Consent Form (if involve human participants)
- Copies of questionnaires
- Interview Questions
- Detailed descriptions of interventions (including figures)
List all the characteristics of study participants that should be described in a proposal methods section
Means & standard deviations of ages, height, weights/body masses, gender
+ those of particular relevance to study i.e. training status for a physical training study
Define and give an example of an assumption, limitation, and delimitation for a research study
Assumption: things the researcher trusts are true without verification
i.e.: A participant did their home exercises (greater internal verification less assumptions made)
Limitation: Unavoidable drawback causing a weakness in the study
i.e.: A participant had to withdraw from the study (better planning less limitations)
Delimitation: Deliberately chosen boundary conditions (limits external validity)
i.e.: using participants with special characteristics means that the conclusions can only be applied to those with the same characteristics
