class 8-9

Question 1

research study design

Answer 1

blueprint or detailed plan for conducting a study

Question 2

what is a design

Answer 2

-addresses the research problem in an appropriate way
-determines the degree of bias and/or control
-guides the researcher in planning and implementing a study

Question 3

experimental (interventional) design

Answer 3

-experimental
-quasi-experimental

Question 4

non-experimental (observational) design

Answer 4

-correlational
-descriptive
-comparative

Question 5

design: time dimension
cross-sectional design

Answer 5

data collected at one point in time

Question 6

design: time dimension
prospective design

Answer 6

data collected at one point and then again at future point(s)
may be longitudinal

Question 7

design: time dimension
retrospective design

Answer 7

data collected and compared against previously collected data or in relation to something that occurred in the past

Question 8

causality - design concepts

Answer 8

A causes B
relies on temporality being able to determine the independent variable occured/changed before the outcome

Question 9

multicausality - design concepts

Answer 9

same as causality but A,C,D… causes B

Question 10

manipulation - design concepts

Answer 10

-intentionally controlling/altering a condition or treatment (independent variable)
-must be consistent

Question 11

bias - design concepts

Answer 11

distorts findings away from the truth
-researchers must attempt to eliminate or substantially reduce randomness & blinding

Question 12

control - design concepts

Answer 12

keeping study conditions constant
-reduce bias
-improves accuracy of findings
-impacts generalizability

Question 13

control can be applied to:

Answer 13

sample
setting
treatment/intervention
measurement
extraneous variables

Question 14

design validity

Answer 14

-measure of truth or accuracy of a study

Question 15

statistical conclusion validity

Answer 15

are the conclusions drawn from statistical analyses an accurate reflection of the real world

Question 16

type 1 error statistical conclusion validity

Answer 16

incorrectly concluding that a difference or relationship exists

Question 17

type 2 error statistical conclusion validity

Answer 17

incorrectly concluding that a difference or relationship does not exist

Question 18

construct validity

Answer 18

-congruency between operational definitions and conceptual definitions
-to what degree do the instruments sued actually measure the variable being studied

Question 19

threats to construct validity

Answer 19

-conceptual and/or operational definitions not clearly defined
-instrument selection

Question 20

internal validity

Answer 20

-is there another reasonable explanation for the study findings
-are the findings a true reflection of reality or the result of extraneous variables

Question 21

history - threats to internal validity

Answer 21

external events impacting subjects & data collected

Question 22

maturation - threats to internal validity

Answer 22

-changes within subjects over time that influence study findings

Question 23

testing - threats to internal validity

Answer 23

-effects of taking pre-test on post-test

Question 24

instrumentation - threats to internal validity

Answer 24

variables measured improperly

Question 25

subject selection - threats to internal validity

Answer 25

-participants or groups differ from the population

Question 26

mortality - threats to internal validity

Answer 26

participants/subjects dropping out

Question 27

diffusion of treatment (imitation) - threats to internal validity

Answer 27

control group has access to treatment

Question 28

external validity

Answer 28

-can the findings be applied to individuals/groups or contexts outside the study (generalizability)

Question 29

selection bias - threats to external validity

Answer 29

limited generalizability to other populations (sample is not representative)

Question 30

reactivity - threats to external validity

Answer 30

subjects alter their responses due to being studied (i.e. trying to make their answer what the researcher is looking for vs what they want to say)

Question 31

measurement effects - threats to external validity

Answer 31

testing effects observer bias

Question 32

problems with study designs

Answer 32

-inappropriate for purpose and/or framework -poorly developed -poorly implemented -inadequate treatment, sample, measurement methods

Question 33

study purpose

Answer 33

is the researcher trying to -describe variables -examine relationships -determine differences -test a treatment

Question 34

non-experimental quanitiative designs

Answer 34

-descriptive studies -correlational studies -comparative studies

Question 35

experimental quanitative designs

Answer 35

experimental or quasi-experimental

Question 36

descriptive studies

Answer 36

-collect detailed description of exisiting variables -assess current conditions -use data to identify problems, improve health care practices, develop theory, guide future research

Question 37

typical descriptive design

Answer 37

clairifcation->measurement->description->interpretation->developement of hypothesis

Question 38

correlational studies

Answer 38

explore relationships between or among variable provide deeper insight into a phenomenon

Question 39

comparative studies

Answer 39

describes and compares variables in two or more groups

Question 40

3 essential elements of experimental studies

Answer 40

-randomization -manipulation of independent variable -control

Question 41

treatment protocols for experimental studies

Answer 41

-specify what the intervention will entail -who will recieve it -who will administer it, do they need training -when and for how long -what will the alternative/control be

Question 42

common designs of experimental studies

Answer 42

-pretest - posttest -true experiment, classic experiment -randomized control trial(RCT) -posttest only -crossover

Question 43

advantages of experimental studies

Answer 43

-more controls; design & conduct of study -increased internal validity; fewer threats -fewer rival hypotheses -more practical to implement -more feasible: resources, subjects, time, setting -sometimes more generalizable(comparable to practice)

Question 44

quasi-experimental studies

Answer 44

researcher initiates experimental tratement but some characteristic of a true experiment is lacking (usually randomization)

Question 45

common design in quasi-experimental designs

Answer 45

-nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest -nonequivalent control group post-test only -one group pretest-posttest

Question 46

other quantitative studies

Answer 46

-outcomes reserach -methodological reserach -meta-analysis -secondary analysis -cohort studies -case control studies