Biomedical Innovations Semester 1 Terms

Innovation

Something newly introduced, such as a new method or device

Invention

something entirely new being created

Brainstorming

a group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, and stimulating creative thinking, by unrestrained spontaneous participation in discussion.

Scientific Abstract

a written summary of key points, especially of a scientific paper

Et al.

a latin abbreviation that means "and others"

In-Text citation

a brief reference within the body of a text that acknowledges the source of information (ideas, quotes, data) used in your work

Outline

a structured plan that provides a skeletal framework for a piece of writing

Primary Source

a document or physical object that was created during the time under study

Secondary Source

a source that analyzes, interprets, or summarizes information from primary sources, such as textbooks

Collaboration

The action of working with someone to produce or create something

Consensus

a general agreement

What is a constraint in the design process?

A limit to a design process.

What are some examples of constraints in design?

Appearances, funding, space, materials, and human capabilities.

Emergent

in the process of coming into being or becoming prominent (priority for triage)

Gantt Chart

a chart that depicts progress in relation to time, often used in planning and tracking a project

Non-urgent

not considered to require immediate action or attention (bottom of priority list for triage)

project

an individual or collaborative enterprise that is carefully planned to achieve a particular aim

Project Charter

a formal document that authorizes the start of a project and outlines its key elements

Project Management

The process of leading, planning, organizing, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals within defined constraints

Project scope

defines the boundaries of a project, outlining all the work and considerations needed to deliver a specific outcome

Stakeholders

an individual, group, or organization that could affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision, activity, or outcome of a project

Team norms

the agreed-upon expectations and rules that guide how a team interacts, communicates, and works together

Teams

groups of healthcare professionals who collaborate, communicate, and coordinate their efforts to provide patient care, achieve shared goals, and improve health outcomes

Triage

the sorting of patients (such as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care

Urgent

(of a state or situation) requiring immediate action or attention (for triaging, need immediate care but not as urgent as emergent)

Cross-Sectional Study

a research study that involves a single observation (such as an interview or questionnaire), which may be useful to determine how variables affect each other at the same time and period

Dependent variable

a variable whose value depends on that of another

Experimental Controls

a type of study in which all variable measurements and manipulations are under research control

Hypothesis

a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation

Independent Variable

a variable (often denoted by x) whose variation does not depend on that of another

Personal Protective Equipment

clothing and equipment that is worn or used in order to provide protection against hazardous substances or environments

Prospective Cohort Study

a research study that follows, over time, groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic and compares them for a particular outcome

Retrospective Cohort Study

a research study in which the medical records of groups of individuals who are alike in many ways but differ by a certain characteristic

Testable Hypothesis

a specific, falsifiable prediction that can be verified or disproven through experimentation or observation, allowing researchers to gather empirical evidence to support or refute the claim

Experimental Studies

Studies that involve the control and manipulation of variables; the goal of an experiment is to control the environment in such a way that manipulation of the independent variable yields a direct, corresponding change in the dependent variable

Observational Studies

Studies that involve the observation of individuals or the measurement of certain outcomes. No attempt is made to affect the outcome

Correlation

The degree of relationship between two variables

Data

facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

Chart

a sheet of information in the form of a table, graph, or diagram

Variable

inconsistent or not having a fixed pattern; liable to change

Time series

a sequence of data points measured over successive, equally spaced intervals of time

Slope

a surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a rising or falling surface

Alternative Hypothesis

what the experimenter thinks may be true or wishes to be true before he or she begins an experiment, also called the research hypothesis

Causal Relationship

a relationship in which one factor can be said to be the cause of another

Confounding Variable

a variable that is not accounted for in the experimental design, varies systematically with the dependent variable, and prevents a clear interpretation of the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable

Controlled, Randomized Experiment

most powerful experimental design because it allows for the interference of causation

Degrees of Freedom

a parameter that is equal to the number of observations or groups in a study minus some values that limit the observations' or groups' freedom to vary(n-1)

Directional Alternative Hypothesis

where alternative hypothesis is specifically stated beforehand; also called a one-tailed test of significance

Double-Blind Experiment

neither the participant nor the treatment allocator knows whether the participant has been allocated to a treatment or control group

Independent T-test

a statistical test to determine whether there are significant differences between two independent groups' means being tested on the same dependent variable

Mean

the arithmetical average of a group of scores

Median

enter of a distribution of score, such that half of the scores are above that number and half of the score in the distribution are below that number

Mode

most frequently occurring score

Nondirectional Alternative Hypothesis

null hypothesis will be rejected if either Group 1's mean exceeds Group 2's mean, or vice versa, or where the null hypothesis will be rejected if a relationship exists, regardless of its nature; also called a two-tailed test of significance

Null Hypothesis

the starting point in scientific research where the experimenter assumes there is no effect of the treatment or no relationship between the two variables

P value

the probability of results of the experiment being attributed to chance

Dependent T-test

A test designed to determine the statistical difference between two groups' means where the participants in each group are either the same or matched pairs. Dependent t-tests are also referred to as paired t-tests.

Reliability

The likelihood that the same experiment will yield identical results if performed many times over, by the same team or by other teams.

Replication

The repeated ability to duplicate the results of a scientific experiment by different experimenters, which helps establish a hypothesis's usefulness (or nonusefulness in cases where findings cannot be replicated).

Single-Blind Experiment

The participant does not know whether he or she has been allocated to a treatment or control group.

Standard Deviation

A parameter of variability of data about the mean score

Statistically Nonsignificant

Describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be statistically nonsignificant if it is not greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone. This means that there is not enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis, and the results of the experiment are attributed to chance.

Statistically Significant

Describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be statistically significant if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone. This means that there is enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis and the results of the experiment are not attributed to chance.

Triple Blind Experiment

Neither the participant, the treatment allocator, nor the response gatherer knows whether the participant has been allocated to a treatment or control group.

Validity

The extent to which the result cannot be attributed to error in sampling or measurement.

Variance

A parameter of variability of data about the mean score, which is the square of the standard deviation.

Constraints

a limit to a design process.

Criteria

principles or standards by which something can be judged or decided

Design

an iterative decision-making process that produces plans by which resources are converted into products or systems that meet human needs and wants or solve problems

Design Brief

is used to describe the task at hand and lays out the problem as well as any constraints or specific specifications that must be upheld in the final design.

Design Matrix

a matrix containing data about multiple characteristics of several individuals or objects

Design Process

a systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice

Iterative

a process that repeats a series of steps over and over until the desired outcome is obtained

Project Recommendations

specific actions, areas for further study or changes in practice based on the findings

Test Report

specific actions, areas for further study or changes in practice based on the findings

Literature Review

a formal report, a compilation of what has already been written about the topic and provides background on past solutions and innovations

Prototype

a full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments

What is Environmental Health?

A science that addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person.

What does Environmental Health assess and control?

Environmental factors that can potentially affect health.

What related factors does Environmental Health consider?

Factors impacting behavior.

Toxins

a poisonous substance produced by living organisms, such as bacteria, plants, or animals

Toxicant

a poisonous substance

Dose

a quantity of a medicine or drug taken or recommended to be taken at a particular time

Dose Amount

the specific, measured quantity of a substance (such as a medication, nutrient, or even radiation) administered or taken at one single time.

Dose Duration

A dosage instruction to be administered over a period of time is defined by a duration

Dose Frequency

the number of times per day (or other time period) that a medication dose is taken

Dose-Response Curve

a graphical representation that depicts the relationship between a drug molecule's dose and the biological responses it generates

Response

a reaction to something

Route of Exposure

how a hazardous substance enters the body

Subject Variability (Health)

refers to the natural differences (between people, inter-subject) and fluctuations (within the same person, intra-subject) in biological responses, behaviors, and health metrics

Subject Variability (Natural)

the inherent, expected differences among individuals (or subjects) in traits, responses, or measurements, stemming from genetics, lifestyle, environment, or biology, rather than measurement error or experimental flaws

Threshold

the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced

Toxicology

science that deals with poisons and their effects