qualitative and quantitative methods, bias and scientific considerations

Question 1

what is qualitative data?

Answer 1

provides understanding of experiences, perceptions, motivations, behaviours based on description and observation

Question 2

what is collected from qualitative data ?

Answer 2

• spoken words, written words, pictures, visual, documents ; observations described in words

Question 3

what is the starting point of qualitative data?

Answer 3

• situation the researcher can observe

Question 4

what is the goal of qualitative designs?

Answer 4

• pts comfortable with researcher so honest and forthcoming
• allows researcher to make robust observations

Question 5

what are examples of methods that collect qualitative data?

Answer 5

• semi- structured interviews
• focus groups
• participant observation

Question 6

what are interviews?

Answer 6

• variously directed convo based on language and interaction
• can be structured or semi structured

Question 7

what are the advantages of interviews?

Answer 7

+ avoids pre- defined categories and opens up to surprising outcomes
+ helps refine research questions for future
+ interaction between research and researched population

Question 8

what is quantitative data?

Answer 8

based on numerical data and usually seeks to establish casual relationships and/ or differences between variables

Question 9

what does quantitative data involve?

Answer 9

• observations measured in numbers

Question 10

what is the starting point of quantitative data?

Answer 10

• testable hypothesis

Question 11

what is the goal of quantitative data?

Answer 11

• findings can be repeatedly tested by others
• variables are defined and statical analyses test relationship/ differences between vs

Question 12

what are examples of methods that collect quantitative data?

Answer 12

-surveys
- randomised control trials
- lab experiments

Question 13

list some differences between qualitative and quantitative

Answer 13

qualitative more subjective and in depth due to no stats test whereas quantitative is objective and has a wider breadth of info due to stats analysis

Question 14

what is the difference in reliability and generalisability of the two data sets?

Answer 14

qualitative can be valid if researcher is skilful and presents rigour but is less generalisable quantitative is valid depending on measurement device and is more generalisable

Question 15

what is the aim?

Answer 15

• statement describing the purpose of the study

Question 16

what is the research question?

Answer 16

• specific question delineating the primary aim of research study

Question 17

what is the hypothesis?

Answer 17

• proposed explanation for phenomenon; specific and testable statement about the possible outcome of scientific research

Question 18

what does PICO stand for?

Answer 18

• population
• intervention
• comparison
• outcome

Question 19

what is the null hypothesis?

Answer 19

no significant difference/ relationship in results so any difference is due to sampling error or chance
- no effect hypothesis

Question 20

what is the alternative hypothesis?

Answer 20

any observed significant differences/ relationships are not due to sampling error/ chance
- the effect hypothesis

Question 21

what is an in- depth mechanistic study?

Answer 21

• small sample and in- depth measurements also allow for detailed look at intervention effects which might inform design of larger studies in future

Question 22

what is conflict of interest?

Answer 22

• situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit and unfair advantages from actions/ decisions made in their official capacity

Question 23

what is researcher bias?

Answer 23

• any factors e.g. investment in product that might influence researcher to favour certain results

Question 24

why is conflict of interest a problem?

Answer 24

• compromises ability of researchers to conduct research and report results in accurate and impartial manner

Question 25

what are researchers required to do?

Answer 25

- be transparent about funding sources and any potential conflicts of interest

Question 26

what is selection bias?

Answer 26

individuals recruited are selected in a way that isn't random so it doesn't represent the population, which limits generalisability

Question 27

what is self- report bias?

Answer 27

- error introduced with self report data that prevents accurate assessment of relationships between variables

Question 28

what is recall bias?

Answer 28

differences in ability of pts to recall variable being measured means erroneous conclusions made ; data from one group may be more accurate than other

Question 29

what is reporting bias?

Answer 29

differences between reported and unreported data; may select positive favourable results which don't represent whole set of data

Question 30

what is publication bias?

Answer 30

tendency for journals to publish studies with positive results; lack of transparency may lead to ineffective or harmful interventions/ drugs

Question 31

what is confounding?

Answer 31

error in effect of an exposure on an outcome due to influence of another factor

Question 32

what is residual confounding?

Answer 32

error remains after controlling for confounding so incorrectly conclude that a given exposure causes an outcome

Question 33

how can you minimise bias in research ?

Answer 33

- journals enforce disclosure requirements and penalise anyone who doesn't - prevent industry influence - develop accurate measures to reduce self- report and recall bias - more funding for large scale RCTs - require journals to publish negative findings - don't imply causation when results are indicative of associations

Question 34

what is health inequalities?

Answer 34

preventable, unfair and unjust differences in health status that arises from unequal distribution of social, environmental and economic conditions which determine risk of getting ill, ability to prevent sickness and access treatment

Question 35

what is deprivation?

Answer 35

damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society

Question 36

what is the overall relative measure of deprivation?

Answer 36

- index of multiple deprivation

Question 37

what are some exmaples of health inequalities?

Answer 37

- ethnicity e.g. black people 2-4 x likely to develop type 2 diabetes - family member has disease - age e.g. older - gender e.g. men more likely to be obese - physical activity e.g. if not active your more likely to develop chronic diseases

Question 38

why do some samples not reflect population diversity?

Answer 38

- cost, practicalities, convivence - lack of diversity in area where research is - research question targeted to limited demographic - protect vulnerable groups - optimise positive findings

Question 39

what are the implications of studies with low diversity?

Answer 39

- findings not applicable to those under- represented - those who aren't represented may be deprived of benefits - messages generated from research can lead to lack of awareness of disease risks - findings don't reflect complex ' lived experiences' of diverse populations - policies created could be harmful to those not represented

Question 40

is it always necessary to recruit diverse study samples?

Answer 40

no as it depends on research question and whether representation matters

Question 41

what should be done if the treatment effects are expected to be different for various groups?

Answer 41

- sub group analysis

Question 42

what are other considerations?

Answer 42

- time of day; circadian rhythms cause organ systems to be active at different times - seasonal changes e.g. vitamin D exposure - shift working increases chance of cardiovascular disease -exercise affects glucose response - taking blood samples e.g. type of blood tube