Research Study Designs

These flashcards cover various important concepts related to research study designs, data collection, and analysis methods as discussed in the lecture.

What are the basic types of research?

Original research, Secondary data analysis, Observational, and Experimental.

What does original research involve?

It involves the collection of new data to address a specific research question.

What is secondary data analysis?

It is the quantitative or qualitative analysis of existing data that has already been collected.

Define observational research.

It documents outcomes of normal behavior or life without intervention.

What's an experimental research design?

It tests hypotheses through an intervention where variables are manipulated.

What is the difference between prospective and retrospective studies?

Prospective studies plan for the future, while retrospective studies look at past data.

What are the strengths of prospective studies?

They provide more valid information on exposure but are time-consuming.

What is the main advantage of using quantitative data?

It is usually more generalizable and easier to analyze in larger numbers.

What are mixed methods in research?

They combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore a research question.

Explain random sampling.

It is a sampling method aimed at representing characteristics of an overall population.

What are the strengths of secondary sources of research?

They provide synthesized information and can summarize findings from multiple studies.

What is gray literature?

Information produced by legitimate researchers that does not go through peer-review.

What is the significance of systematic reviews and meta-analyses?

They synthesize existing research to provide the best quality evidence.

What is a cohort study?

It is a type of observational study involving a group of participants over time.

What are the weaknesses of case-control studies?

They may have recall or selection bias and do not establish cause-and-effect relationships.

What is blinding in research?

It keeps participants unaware of their group assignment to reduce bias.

What defines randomized controlled trials (RCTs)?

They randomly assign participants to groups to assess intervention effects.

What is the role of best practice guidelines in research?

They offer consensus recommendations based on multiple sources relevant to practice.

What can undermine the reliability of observational studies?

Limited control over confounding factors and potential biases.

Why is extrapolation important in research?

It allows findings from a sample to inform understanding of the broader population.

What are the limitations of qualitative data?

It can be subjective and less generalizable compared to quantitative data.

What are weaknesses of expert opinion in research?

These materials may be biased or incomplete.

What might affect response rates in questionnaire studies?

Factors like audience, anonymity, and incentives.

What is the main challenge faced in longitudinal cohort studies?

Risk of attrition and the requirement for long-term commitment.

How does a systematic review differ from a narrative review?

Systematic reviews follow strict protocols, while narrative reviews provide a summary without a formal methodology.

What are potential biases in systematic reviews?

Author biases can influence the search and selection process.

Why is the publication of studies in peer-reviewed journals significant?

It often indicates a degree of quality and validity in research.

What’s a key takeaway about research methods?

There is no one-size-fits-all; the research question drives method selection.

What are the consequences of poor reporting in case reports?

They may be atypical or biased, limiting their generalizability.

In what scenario would qualitative methods be beneficial?

When exploring subjective experiences or generating hypotheses for further study.

What is the importance of understanding risk factors in research?

They can inform interventions and understanding of health conditions.