DHY 258: Community Dental Hygiene II - Study Questions and Key Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Community Dental Hygiene II course, including research methods, ethical principles, and the application of bioethics in clinical practice.

Scientific method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Foundation for understanding disease

The foundation for understanding why disease occurs and how to prevent and control it.

Evidence-based practice

Dental hygiene care based on evidence from peer-reviewed research rather than anecdotes or personal opinions.

Dental hygiene research goal

To improve patient outcomes and quality of care through scientific inquiry.

Field of study vs Discipline

A field of study is a broad area of academic knowledge, while a discipline refers to a specific branch of study within that field.

Translational research

Research aimed at translating scientific discoveries into practical applications, such as clinical practice.

Importance of understanding research

Dental hygienists must understand scientific research to provide informed care and communicate evidence-based information.

Research begins with a ___

A question or hypothesis.

1st step in planning research

Identifying the research question.

Research Hypothesis vs Null Hypothesis

A research hypothesis predicts an effect or relationship, whereas a null hypothesis states there is no effect or relationship.

Research proposal

A structured document outlining a research plan, including objectives, methodology, and significance.

Literature review

A comprehensive survey of existing research relevant to a particular topic, conducted in the initial stage of research.

3rd step in writing a proposal

Developing the research methodology.

Questions for a research proposal

Key considerations that guide the research focus, methodology, and significance of the study.

Data

Factual information collected for analysis in research.

Variable

An element, feature, or factor that can be changed or controlled in a study.

Pilot study

A small-scale preliminary study to test the feasibility, time, cost, and adverse events involved in a research proposal.

Research design

A detailed plan outlining how to conduct a research study.

Research approach

The overall strategy or plan for conducting research, including qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.

4 ways to classify research approach

Observational, experimental, descriptive, and correlational.

Historical approach

A research method that studies past events to understand present conditions.

Descriptive approach

Research that provides a detailed account of a phenomenon without focusing on cause and effect.

Survey approach

A method of collecting information from a group of people, often quantitative.

Larger sample validity

True; larger representative samples can lead to more valid results.

Case study

An in-depth examination of an individual or group to explore complex issues in real-life contexts.

Cross-sectional study

A study that analyzes data from a population at a specific point in time.

Cohort study

A type of observational study where a group of individuals is followed over time to observe outcomes.

Document analysis

A research method that evaluates existing documents to extract relevant information.

Trend study

A study that examines changes over time within the same population.

Correlational study

Research exploring the relationship between two variables without implying causation.

Retrospective study

A study that looks back at data collected in the past to find relationships.

Case control-study

A study that compares individuals with a condition to those without to identify factors associated with the condition.

Ecological study

A study that uses data at the population level to investigate correlations between exposures and outcomes.

Experimental approach

Research that manipulates one or more variables to determine their effect.

Placebo

A substance with no therapeutic effect used as a control in testing new drugs.

Placebo effect

Improvements in a patient’s condition resulting from the mere expectation that a treatment will work.

Hawthorne effect

The alteration of behavior by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.

Experimental research method

Most experimental research is conducted using controlled trials.

Double-blind study

A study in which neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving a particular treatment.

Double-blind study reliability

It minimizes bias, making the results more credible.

Funding bias

Funding can create bias by influencing the outcomes or reporting of research.

Self-control studies

Crossover and within-subject studies where participants act as their own controls.

Washout period

A break between treatment phases in a crossover study allowing for the effects of the first treatment to dissipate.

Split-mouth design

A study design where two different treatments are applied to different sides of the same subject's mouth.

Quasi-experimental approach

Research that resembles experimental conditions but lacks random assignment.

Sample population size

Sample sizes can vary from a few individuals to large groups depending on the study.

Ideal sample population size

An ideal sample population is large enough to ensure statistical validity.

Sampling techniques

Methods used to select individuals from a population for a study.

Random sampling

A sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Stratified sampling

A technique where the population is divided into subgroups to ensure representation.

Systematic sampling

Selecting every nth individual from a list or sequence.

Judgmental sampling

Subjects are selected based on the researcher's judgment, risking bias.

Convenience sampling

Choosing subjects who are easily accessible, which may lead to unrepresentative results.

Cluster sampling

Sampling that uses pre-existing groups rather than individuals to collect data.

Bioethics

The study of ethical issues arising from advances in biology and medicine.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of not causing harm to others.

Beneficence

The ethical principle of acting in the best interest of the patient.

Autonomy

The right of patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.

Paternalism

The practice of overriding a person's autonomy for their own good.

Justice in ethics

The principle of fairness and equity in the distribution of resources and treatments.

Veracity

Truthfulness and honesty in research and practice.

Nuremberg War Crimes trials significance

They highlighted the importance of consent and ethical guidelines in research.

The Nuremberg Code

A set of ethical principles for human experimentation established after the Nuremberg Trials.

The Right To Try Act

Legislation allowing terminally ill patients to access experimental treatments not yet approved.

Ethics in research

Ensuring organizational missions and goals are respected, maintaining integrity in the study.

Ethical behavior description

Described as what is honest, fair, and respectful in research.

Belmont Report

A report that outlines ethical principles and guidelines for research involving human subjects.

Misconduct in research

Involves actions such as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.

Animal research guidelines

True; there are ethical guidelines to protect animals used in research.

Informed consent

The process of providing potential research participants with adequate information to make an educated decision.

Exception to informed consent

Research studies may proceed without consent in certain emergency medical situations.

Tuskegee study ethical issues

An infamous study that exploited African American men by not informing them of their syphilis diagnosis.

The Belmont Report purpose

Created to establish ethical standards for research involving human subjects.

Payments to research subjects

False; it's not ethical to pay subjects solely for financial gain.

Federal government’s dual research role

To fund and regulate medical research while ensuring ethical standards are upheld.

Government review entity

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees research protocols and medical products.

Federal research locations

Federal research is conducted in government labs and facilities across the country.

Bulk of medical research

Conducted by universities and private industry, due to their resources and expertise.

Funding sources for private research

Philanthropy, government grants, corporate sponsorship, and non-profit organizations.

Negatives of private company research

Concerns include ethical control issues and possibly poor-quality outcomes.