Research Design Flashcards
1
Q
Research
A
- Investigation through scientific method to establish facts
- Based on a hypothesis & intends to be generalised
- Controlled internally, relies on validity
2
Q
Evaluation
A
- Use of a framework to determine value of a program/process
- Intent to improve and make recommendations
- Controlled externally, relies on feasability to determine value
3
Q
Scientific method
A
Systematic approach in research to identify problems, collect and analuse data, and develop theory
4
Q
Evidence based practice
A
Integration of best available evidence into practice to improve patient care, build credibility and accountability
5
Q
Research paradigm
A
- Philosophical model/framework to guide research questions, methods, data collection and analysis
6
Q
Components of research paradigms
A
- Ontology: study of existance, provides world view to guide study
- Epistemiology: study of knowledge, provides focus
- Methodology: framework for conducting study
7
Q
3 Philosophical paradigms
A
Positivism
Interpretivism/constructivist
Critical approach
8
Q
Positivism
A
- Explain truth through scientific method to assess for causal relationships (quantitative)
- Deductive: theory –> conclusion
- Reductionism/determinism: does not occur due to chance
- Examples: descriptive (cross sectional etc), RCT
- Clear, quick analysis, generalisable, high rigour
- High cost, researcher bias, limited probing
9
Q
Interpretivism/constructivist
A
- Descriptive, explores meaning
- Inductive: observation –> concepts/meaning
- Subjective: researcher interpretation, value in dialogue and social constructs
- Examples: phenomenology, descriptive, ethnography, grounded theory
- Low cost, complex phenomena, member checking
- Researcher bias, lack of generalisability, biased subjects, lack of research clarity
9
Q
Critical approach
A
- Focus on society to critique and challenge power dynamics
- Goal is to encourage equality, change social structures
- Examples: emancipatory research ( benefit to disadvantaged), action research, feminist research
10
Q
Quantitative design
A
- Positivist
- Control: use of comparison group to eliminate extraneous variables and threats to IV such as history, maturation and selection
- Randomisation: create similar groups to ensure changes are due to intervention
- Manipulation & blinding
= QT has atleast 1, best to have 3
11
Q
Types of quantitative designs
A
Experimental and non-experimental
12
Q
Experimental
A
- Manipulation of the IV to observe the effect on the DV
- Limits confounding factors, establishes causality BUT required extensive review & prep, cost
13
Q
Types of experimental designs
A
- RCT: causality through control, randomisation & manipulation (high IV)
- Quasi-experimental: manipulation but lacks either/both control & randomisation (weak causality)
14
Q
Non-experimental/observational
A
- No IV manipulation, not establishing causality only exploring relationships between variables
- Low evidence/IV, high bias
15
Q
Types of non-experimental designs
A
- Observational: explores relationships between variables when little is known
- Descriptive: measures variables of interest
- Cross sectional: frequency and characteristics of x in a population at a point in time
- Cohort studies: disease free population studies over time, with exposed and unexposed groups compared (prospective - defines sample & measures beforehand - or retrospective)
- Case-control: retrospective look back for explanatory factors to link exposure to outcome (compare cases & controls)
