Research 101
What is the main purpose of conducting research?
To investigate questions to prove hypotheses and discover new information or knowledge
What is an abstract?
A one-paragraph summary of an article, chapter, or book
What type of study describes a group of individuals with a disease?
A case series
What is the term for information collected during a research study?
Data
What does IRB stand for?
Institutional Review Board
What is the first step in the research process?
Identify a study question
What is the main purpose of a literature review?
To summarize and synthesize existing research on a topic
What type of observational study follows a group of people over time to observe whether they develop a disease?
A cohort study
What term describes the number of new cases of a disease occurring in a population during a specific period?
Incidence
What is the main purpose of an IRB?
To protect the rights and welfare of participants in a study
What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable?
IV: The predictor variable that the researcher manipulates
DV: The outcome variable the researcher is studying or measuring
What is the purpose of peer review in scientific research?
To have experts evaluate research for quality, accuracy, and scientific credibility before publication
Match each type of study to its description:
1. Primary Study
2. Secondary Study
3. Tertiary Study
A. Analyze existing data
B. Collect new data from individuals
C. Review and synthesize the existing literature
1. Primary Study: B. Collect new data from individuals
2. Secondary Study: A. Analyze existing data
3. Tertiary Study: C. Review and synthesize the existing literature
What term describes the proportion of a population that currently has a disease?
Prevalence
What principles guide an IRB?
The Belmont Report principles
A researcher studies whether watching game film affects an athlete's performance in future games. What is the dependent variable?
The athlete's performance in future games
Why is it important to identify gaps in the literature before conducting one's own study?
It helps researchers identify what is not yet known and explains/justifies why a new study is needed
A study compares exposure histories in people with a disease (cases) to those without a disease (controls). What is the purpose of this case-control study?
To identify potential risk factors for a disease in a participant who does not have the disease being examined
If two variables are correlated, does this automatically mean one causes the other?
No, because correlation does not always equal causation
Dr. Kenefick is studying the effectiveness of a new medication and receives funding from the company that manufactures it. Is there a conflict of interest here, and if so, why?
There is a conflict of interest:
Dr. K has financial interest in the company
This relationship could influence how the study is conducted or how results are reported
It may introduce bias into the research findings (because he wants his beach house)
What are two characteristics of a good research question?
Specific
Testable
Feasible
Relevant
Focused and clear
Can result in an answer
Ends in a question mark
Addresses a gap in existing knowledge
Important or meaningful to the researcher
After reviewing existing literature and identifying a gap in research, researchers can use this five-letter acronym to develop clear, measurable research objectives or goals. What does the acronym stand for?
Specific
Measurable
Attainable/Achievable
Relevant/Realistic
Timely/Time-bound
An experimental study randomly assigns participants to either a treatment group or a control group. Why is random assignment important?
It helps reduce differences between the groups, limits selection bias, and can establish causation
A researcher finds that employees who work more hours tend to have higher paychecks. Is this an example of a positive or negative correlation, and why?
Positive correlation, because both variables tend to increase together
What are three requirements regarding the membership and composition of an IRB?
Must have at least 5 members
Must have both scientific and non-scientific members
At least one member must be unaffiliated with the institution