Understanding the Data: Study Design & Bias in Research

These flashcards cover key concepts relating to study design and bias in research as discussed in the lecture.

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

An experimental study design where subjects are randomly assigned to treatment groups.

Observational Study

A type of study where researchers observe subjects without intervention.

Cross-sectional Study

A study that examines data at a specific point in time to compare disease frequency.

Cohort Study

A study design where groups of people are followed over time to determine the incidence of disease.

Case-control Study

A study comparing subjects with a disease (cases) to those without (controls) to assess prior exposure.

Randomization

The process of assigning participants to different groups using random methods to reduce bias.

Selection Bias

A systematic error that occurs when the participants selected for a study do not represent the target population.

Recall Bias

A form of information bias where subjects do not accurately remember past exposures, often affecting case-control studies.

Confounding Bias

A type of bias where an outside variable influences both the exposure and the outcome, leading to misleading conclusions.

Systematic Error

Errors that consistently occur in the same direction and impact the validity of a study's results.

Prospective Study

A study where exposures are measured before the outcome occurs.

Retrospective Study

A study where exposures are measured after the outcome has occurred.

Measurement Error

Errors that occur in data collection that can lead to incorrect conclusions.

Incidence

The occurrence rate of new cases of a disease in a specific population over a defined time frame.

Atherosclerosis

A condition characterized by the buildup of fats and cholesterol on artery walls, which can restrict blood flow.

Bias

Systematic errors in the design or conduct of a study that lead to incorrect conclusions.