KA 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is Validity?

A

When variables controlled so that any measured effect is likely to be due to the independent variable.

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2
Q

What is Reliability?

A

Consistent values in repeats and independent replicates.

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3
Q

What is Accuracy?

A

When data, or means of data sets, are close to the true value.

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4
Q

What is Precision?

A

When measured values are close to each other.

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5
Q

What is integral to the development of an investigation?

A

A pilot study

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6
Q

What is a pilot study used to do?

A

To help plan procedures, assess validity and check techniques.

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7
Q

What does a pilot study allow for?

A

This allows evaluation and modification of experimental design

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8
Q

The use of a pilot study can ensure?

A

An appropriate range of values for the independent variable

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9
Q

In addition a pilot study allows the investigator to?

A

Establish the number of repeat measurements required to give a representative value for each independent datum point

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10
Q

An independent variable is the variable that is?

A

Changed in a scientific experiment.

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11
Q

A dependent variable is the variable being?

A

Measured in a scientific experiment. Independent and dependent variables can be continuous or discrete

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12
Q

Experiments involve the manipulation of the?

A

Independent variable by the investigator

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13
Q

The experimental treatment group is compared to a?

A

Control group

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14
Q

The control of laboratory conditions allows for?

A

Simple experiments to be conducted more easily than in the field.

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15
Q

A drawback of a simple experiment is that?

A

Its findings may not be applicable to a wider setting.

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16
Q

A multifactorial experiment involves?

A

A combination of more than one independent variable or combination of treatments.

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17
Q

Investigators may use groups that? What does this mean?

A

Already exist, so there is no truly independent variable

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18
Q

Observational studies are good at detecting? What are they not useful for?

A

Correlation, but since they do not directly test a hypothesis, they are less useful for determining causation

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19
Q

In observational studies the independent variable is not? Why?

A

Directly controlled by the investigator, for ethical or logistical reasons.

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20
Q

Due to the complexities of biological systems what may affect the dependent variable?

A

Other variables besides the independent variable

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21
Q

Confounding variables must be held… if this isn’t possible what else happens?

A

Constant if possible, or at least monitored so that their effect on the results can be accounted for in the analysis

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22
Q

In cases where confounding variables cannot easily be controlled, what could be used?

A

A randomised block design could be used

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23
Q

Randomised blocks of treatment and control groups can be distributed in such a way that the influence of what?

A

Any confounding variable is likely to be the same across the treatment and control groups.

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24
Q

Control results are used for?

A

Comparison with the results of treatment groups

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25
Q

The negative control provides results in the?

A

Absence of a treatment.

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26
Q

A positive control is a?

A

Treatment that is included to check that the system can detect a positive result when it occurs.

27
Q

Placebos can be included as?

A

A treatment without the presence of the independent variable being investigated.

28
Q

Placebo effect is a?

A

Measurable change in the dependent variable as a result of a patient’s expectations, rather than changes in the independent variable.

29
Q

In vitro refers to?

A

The technique of performing a given procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism.

30
Q

Examples of in vitro experiments include?

A

Cells growing in culture medium, proteins in solution, purified organelles.

31
Q

In vivo refers to?

A

Experimentation using a whole, living organism

32
Q

Where it is impractical to measure every individual, what sort of sample is selected?

A

Representative sample of the population is selected

33
Q

The extent of the natural variation within a population determines?

A

The appropriate sample size

34
Q

More variable populations require a larger?

A

Sample size

35
Q

A representative sample should share the same…

A

Mean and the same degree of variation about the mean as the population as a whole

36
Q

With random sampling members of the population have an equal chance of…

A

Being selected.

37
Q

In systematic sampling, members of a population are selected at?

A

Regular intervals.

38
Q

In stratified sampling, the population is?

A

Divided into categories that are then sampled proportionally.

39
Q

In ecological studies, use… To select?

A

Random numbers to select quadrats for sampling.

40
Q

Establish sample size by?

A

Determining a travelling mean or the cumulative total of species in quadrats.

41
Q

How can you systematically sample an environment?

A

By the use of line or belt transects

42
Q

Use stratified sampling to sample… using a standard formula to calculate the?

A

Habitats that are not uniform, using a standard formula to calculate the number of samples from each area.

43
Q

Variation in experimental results may be due to?

A

The reliability of measurement methods and/or inherent variation in the specimens

44
Q

The reliability of measuring instruments or procedures can be determined by?

A

Repeated measurements or readings of an individual datum point.

45
Q

The variation observed indicates? But not…

A

The precision of the measurement instrument or procedure but not necessarily its accuracy.

46
Q

How do you determine the precision of a measuring procedure?

A

By repeated measurements, and the accuracy of a measuring procedure by calibration against a known standard.

47
Q

The natural variation in the biological material being used can be determined by?

A

Measuring a sample of individuals from the population

48
Q

The mean of repeated measurements will give an?

A

Indication of the true value being measured

49
Q

The range of values is a measure of the?

A

Extent of variation in the results

50
Q

If there is a narrow range then the…

A

Variation is low

51
Q

Independent replication should be carried out to produce?

A

Independent data sets

52
Q

Overall results can only be considered reliable if they can be achieved?

A

Consistently.

53
Q

Independent data sets should be compared to determine the?

A

Reliability of the results

54
Q

Discrete and continuous variables give rise to what kinds of data?

A

Qualitative, quantitative, or ranked data

55
Q

What is qualitative data? How can it be measured?

A

Subjective and descriptive. Quantitative data can be measured objectively, usually with a numerical value.

56
Q

Ranked data refers to?

A

The data transformation in which numerical values are replaced by their rank when the data are sorted from lowest to highest.

57
Q

The type of variable being investigated has consequences for any?

A

Graphical display or statistical tests that may be used

58
Q

Correlation exists if there is a?

A

Relationship between two variables

59
Q

Correlation is an association and does not?

A

Imply causation.

60
Q

Causation exists if the changes in the values of the independent variable are?

A

Known to cause changes to the value of the dependent variable

61
Q

A positive correlation exists when?

A

An increase in one variable is accompanied by an increase in the other variable.

62
Q

A negative correlation exists when?

A

An increase in one variable is accompanied by a decrease in the other variable.

63
Q

Strength of correlation is proportional to?

A

spread of values from the line of best fit.