Research Methodology: Study Designs/Types

Flashcards describing the types and designs of studies used in research.

What is a research design?

A strategy used by the researcher that varies according to the research problem identified and research questions developed.

Name three things that the type of research design chosen depends on:

Type of problem, knowledge already available about the problem, and resources available for the study.

What are the two broad/general types of research designs?

Nonintervention study designs and intervention studies.

What do Nonintervention study designs involve?

Descriptions and analysis of researchable objects or situations, but no intervention is required.

What do Intervention Studies involve?

Manipulations of objects or situations and measures the outcome of the manipulations.

Name the three types of Nonintervention Studies.

Exploratory studies, Descriptive studies, and Comparative (analytical) studies.

What is an exploratory study?

A small-scale study of relatively short duration, which is carried out when little is known about a situation or a problem.

What is the purpose of exploratory studies?

To find out what is happening, to seek new insights, to ask questions, and to assess phenomena in a new situation. It is also necessary for qualitative data.

What is the purpose of descriptive studies?

To describe in depth the characteristics of one or a limited number of cases or to aim at quantifying the distribution of certain variables in a study population at one point in time.

What are the two types of descriptive studies?

Descriptive case studies and cross-sectional surveys.

What is a cross-sectional survey?

Aims at quantifying the distribution of certain variables in a study population at one point of time. If it covers the total population, it is called a census.

What is the purpose of analytical studies?

To establish causes or risk factors for certain problems by comparing two or more groups.

What are the three types of analytical studies?

Cross-sectional comparative studies, case-control studies, and cohort studies.

What is a case-control study?

The investigator compares one group among whom a problem is present (a case) with another group where the problem is absent (a control) to find out what factors have contributed to the problem.

What is a cohort study?

A group of individuals that is exposed to a risk factor (study group) is compared with a group of individuals not exposed to the risk factor (control group) over time to determine if a greater proportion of those with the risk factor are affected.

What are the two categories of intervention studies?

Experimental studies/clinical trial studies and Quasi-Experimental studies

What is an experimental study?

Individuals are randomly allocated to at least two groups. One group is subject to an intervention or experiment and the outcome of the intervention (i.e., effect of the intervention on the dependent variable/problem) is obtained by comparing the two groups

What are the three characteristics of a classical experimental study design?

Manipulation, Control, and Randomization

What is a quasi-experimental study?

There is manipulation of an independent variable that serves as the intervention, but no randomization is involved.