SNHP 330: Research and Evidence-Based Practice - Study Designs, Variables, and Research Ethics

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering major epidemiological and clinical study designs, research variables, and ethical principles including the Belmont Report and Institutional Review Board (IRB) review procedures.

Synthesis Research

A study design that combines results from multiple studies, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, to summarize overall evidence across literature.

Qualitative Research

A research design that explores experiences, perceptions, or social context using interviews, focus groups, or observations, emphasizing meaning rather than numerical relationships.

Experimental Research

A study design where the researcher assigns exposure and uses randomization to reduce confounding, serving as the strongest design for causal inference.

Correlational Research

A study design that examines statistical relationships between variables to measure the strength and direction of association, but cannot establish causation.

Cross-Sectional Study

An observational study design providing a snapshot in time where exposure and outcome are measured simultaneously to estimate prevalence.

Case-Control Study

An observational study design that starts with the outcome by comparing cases to controls and looks backward for exposure, making it efficient for investigating rare diseases.

Cohort Study

An observational study design that starts with exposure and follows participants forward to the outcome (either prospectively or retrospectively) to establish temporality and measure risk.

Survivor Bias

The major bias risk associated with cross-sectional studies caused by measuring exposure and outcome simultaneously at a single point in time.

Publication Bias

The major bias risk in synthesis research where published studies may not reflect all research conducted on the topic.

Independent Variable

The predictor or hypothesized cause in a research study.

Dependent Variable

The outcome being measured in a research study.

Confounding Variable

An extraneous variable that influences both the independent variable and the dependent variable.

Ethical Principles

The principles and standards guiding researchers to conduct studies responsibly.

Nuremberg Code

A foundational historical ethics document that established the necessity of voluntary informed consent in research.

Declaration of Helsinki

A set of international ethical principles established to guide physicians conducting biomedical research.

Belmont Report

A landmark ethical report that defined three core principles for human subjects research: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

Respect for Persons

A Belmont Report principle stating that human research participation must be voluntary and individual autonomy must be respected.

Beneficence

A Belmont Report principle obligating researchers to minimize potential harm and maximize possible benefits for study participants.

Justice

A Belmont Report principle requiring the fair and equitable selection and treatment of research participants.

Informed Consent

The process of providing potential participants key study details—including purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw anytime—before they agree to participate.

Ethical Review

The formal evaluation of a research proposal to ensure it meets ethical and regulatory standards.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

A committee that reviews and monitors research involving human participants to protect participants, ensure informed consent, and maintain ethical integrity.

Exempt Review

A category of IRB review applied to research studies that present minimal risk to participants.

Expedited Review

A category of IRB review applied to research studies that involve moderate risk and minimal invasiveness.

Full Board Review

A comprehensive level of IRB review required for research involving high risk or vulnerable populations.