Week 1 Flashcards
(62 cards)
What is a theory?
An idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain facts or events.
The purpose of a theory is to provide an answer to the question ‘why?’
Based on a wide range of data. Ideas that explain natural phenomenon.
Scientifically tested
What is ethnography?
A qualitative approach that collects and analyses data in the social and behavioural sciences. Relies on interviews and observations. Anthropology is a classical example
What is face validity?
Extent to which a test appears to measure what claims to measure
Can I name a range of logical fallacies and explain what they are?
- Ad hominen (attack the person, not the argument)
- Red Herring (irrelevant point)
- Straw man (argue against a hyperbolic inaccurate version of other)
- Equivocation (confuse listener by using word with multiple meanings)
- Slippery Slope (one event leads to chain of events)
Appeal to ignorance: Assuming something is true because it hasn’t been proven false
Bandwagon: Arguing something is correct because it’s popular
Texas sharpshooter: Picking data to fit a conclusion
Sunk cost: Continuing a failing course because of past investment
Appeal to pity: Using emotions to distract from lack of evidence
What is the definition of an ‘ad hominum’ statement?
(attack the person, not the argument)
Define critical thinking
A self-guided, self-disciplined ability to effectively analyse information and form a
judgment
Must be aware of own bias and assumptions
and apply consistent standards when
evaluating sources.
Explain why research is important
Answers questions – satisfy curiosity
Informs healthcare investigations (assessment), diagnosis and treatment.
Better decision-making processes
What works, what doesn’t work – and what might work!
Improve delivery of services (policies)
Support advocacy efforts (scope expansion, increase in
third party insurance coverage)
Define Hypothesis
a supposition or proposed explanation (guess) made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation (not yet proven).
Directs investigations predicts outcome. Proposes explanation of natural phenomenon
Define empirical evidence
Information obtained through observation and documentation of certain behaviours or through experimentation
Define Scientific evidence
Information collected by rigorous methods that either supports or challenges a scientific theory
Define research evidence
Evidence that has been vetted through the scientific community
Define effective
The ability of an intervention to have a meaningful change or impact under lab/controlled conditions
Define effectiveness
Real-world impact of an intervention.
Define reliability
Consistency of a measure.
Define Validity
Refers to accuracy of measure (does it represent what it purports to represent).
Define sensitivity?
Ability of a test to designate (identify) an individual with
a disease. Few false negatives.
Define specificity
Ability of a test to designate an individual who does not
have a disease. Few false positives
Define positive predictive value ?
Ratio of patients truly diagnosed as positive
to all those who had positive test results. For example, a
PPV of 30% means out of 100 people testing postive
30 people are negative
What are the types of reasoning?
Deductive
Inductive
Abductive reasoning
Explain deductive reasoning ?
Begins with a theory, support it by observation, and
apply it to specifics (from general to specific)
Explain inductive reasoning?
Begins with an observation and arrives at a
hypothesis or theory (from specific to general
Explain abductive reasoning?
Making a probable conclusion from what you
know.
Approaches to research:
“Epidemiology:
Studies disease patterns and causes in populations (3 D’s: Dynamics, Distribution, Determinants).
Approaches to research
“ Epistemology”
The theory of knowledge—how we know what we know.
