Research: Process, Data, & Sampling

Question 1

Key steps in research process

Answer 1

1. Identify the problem/issue
2. Form hypothesis
3. Operationalization - create measurable variables that address the hypothesis.
4. Select study design that properly analyzes the data.

Question 2

Subjective Data

Answer 2

Qualitative data - described verbally, depends on opinions of observer or subject, interviews are an example.

Question 3

Objective Data

Answer 3

Quantitative data - observable and can be tested and verified. Described in numbers. Examples are surveys, questionnaires, etc.

Question 4

Key points in data collection

Answer 4

1. Collect it close to the time of intervention.
2. Frequently collect data
3. Keep data collection process short.
4. Standardize recording procedures.
5. Collection method to fit the study well.

Question 5

Key considerations in selecting a study design

Answer 5

1. Standardization - can the data be collected in an identical way?
2. Level of certainty: The study size neede to achieve statistical significance.
3. Resources - the availability of funding and other resources needed.
4. Time frame required.
5. Capacity of subjects to provide informed consent and receive ethics approval from HSRC and IRB.

Question 6

Three common study designs

Answer 6

1. Exploratory
2. Descriptive survey design
3. Experimental sutdies

Question 7

Explain exploratory research design

Answer 7

1. Common when little is known about a problem/issue.
2. Key feature if flexibility.
3. Results comprised of detailed observations made.
4. Conclusions include educated guesses or hypotheses.

Question 8

Explain descriptive survey design

Answer 8

1. Variable have been already been studies and more research needed.
2. Variables are partly controlled by the situation and by investigator.
3. Causality cannot be proven, but evidence may support causality.

Question 9

Ethical concerns in selecting study design

Answer 9

1. Research must not lead to harming clients.
2. Denying an intervention may amount ot harm.
3. Informed consent is essential.
4. Confidentiality is required.

Question 10

What is a single system study approach?

Answer 10

1. One client selected per system (n=1)
2. Observations are made prior to, during, and following an intervention.

Question 11

Describe the most basic single system design A-B design

Answer 11

1. Baseline phase (A) no intervention.
2. Followed by intervention phase (B) with data collection.

Question 12

Define a case study/predesign DESIGN A

Answer 12

Observational design with no interevention.

Question 13

Define a case study/predesign DESIGN B

Answer 13

An intervention-only deisgn without any baseline

Question 14

Define design B-C

Answer 14

“Changes case study” design
No baseline recorded - first intervention (B) applied and then changed (C) and data are recorded.

Question 15

List the common single system experimental designs

Answer 15

1. A-B-A design
2. A-B-A-B design
3. B-A-B design

Question 16

Describe the A-B-A design

Answer 16

1. A - data collected without any intervention.
2. B - intervention applies and data collected.
3. A - intervention removed and data collected

Question 17

What are the benefits of the A-B-A design?

Answer 17

1. Inferences regarding causality can be stated
2. Two points of comparison are achieved.

Question 18

What is a drawback of the A-B-A design

Answer 18

It’s usually unethical to remove the intervention, thus it is poorly recommended.

Question 19

Described the A-B-A-B design

Answer 19

A - data collected prior to intervention.
B- intervention applied, data collected.
A - interevention removed, data collected.
B - intervention reinstated at close of study

Question 20

Benefits of A-B-A-B design

Answer 20

1. Greater causality inferences can be made.
2. Temporary removal of intervention is problematic (especially if the subject drops out of the study prior to re-introduction).
3. time consuming study

Question 21

Describe the B-A-B design

Answer 21

• Referred to as the “intervention repeat design”
• no baseline phase
• The intervention is implemented immediately (before establishing a baseline). This is followed by a measurement without the intervention and then a repeat of the intervention.

Question 22

Population

Answer 22

the total set of subjects sought for measurement by a researcher (example: all women over 18 in the United States)

Question 23

Sample

Answer 23

A subset of the population

Question 24

A subject

Answer 24

single unit of the population

Question 25

Generalizability

Answer 25

The degree to which specific findings obtained can be applied to the total population

Question 26

Simple random sampling

Answer 26

each subjected selected from a poopulation has n equal chance of being selected.

Question 27

Stratified random sampling

Answer 27

Populations are divided into groups (i.e., age, income, gender, etc.) and then using a simple random sample from each stratified group

Question 28

Cluster sampling

Answer 28

Used with natural gruops are readily evident in a population (i.e., residents in a county, students at a high school). These natural groups are then subjected to random sampling. Error and bias are reduced when clusters are internally heterogenous and externally homogenous.

Question 29

Systematic sampling

Answer 29

Systematic method of random sampling. For example, choosing a number between 1 to 10, and then selecting every nth name of a randomly generated or already existing list to obtain the study sample.