Confounding Variables in Research Studies

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What is the primary purpose of setting inclusion and exclusion criteria in a study?

To ensure identical diagnostic testing
To identify prevalence-incidence bias
To increase the sample size
To reduce selection bias (correct)

What type of bias occurs when there is a difference in administration rates of exposed and unexposed cases and controls?

Admission rate bias (correct)
Prevalence-incidence bias
Selection bias
Nonresponse bias

What is the purpose of stratification in controlling for confounding variables?

To identify intentional bias
To create subgroups that are more balanced (correct)
To create subgroups that are more imbalanced
To adjust for nonresponse bias

What is the primary goal of regression analysis in controlling for confounding variables?

To determine if confounders are related to the outcome (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between intentional and unintentional bias?

Intentional bias is bad, while unintentional bias is preferred (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of matching or adjusting confounding variables?

To reduce the effect of confounding variables (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of conceptualization in deductive research?

To translate portions of an abstract theory into specific variables that can be used in testable hypotheses (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of a Type I Error?

Rejecting a true null hypothesis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of operationalizing a concept?

The creation of a variable with at least two values (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of nominal level of measurement?

It varies in kind or quality but not in amount (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a study, what is the purpose of setting α (alpha) at a certain level?

To set the probability of a Type I Error (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of measurement in research?

To concern some particular feature of objects or subjects (D) Signup and view all the answers

A study finds a statistically significant difference between two groups with a p-value of 0.03. What can be concluded about the null hypothesis?

The null hypothesis is false, and the difference is real (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the p-value and α (alpha)?

The p-value is synonymous with α, as both represent the probability of a Type I Error (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of inductive research in terms of conceptualization?

The making sense of related observations (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the common characteristic of ratio, interval, and ordinal levels of measurement?

They are all quantitative levels of measurement (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of a Type II Error?

Failing to reject a false null hypothesis (B) Signup and view all the answers

A 95% confidence interval is calculated for a study, and the interval includes 1. What can be concluded about the result?

The result is not statistically significant (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of pilot testing in surveys?

To reduce measurement error by getting feedback from respondents (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of validity is concerned with whether a measure matches the concept it is supposed to represent?

Content validity (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the degree to which an instrument produces consistent results?

Reliability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of an instrument being reliable but not valid?

It measures what it's not supposed to measure but consistently (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of triangulating across several measures?

To reduce measurement error by averaging out biases (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of an instrument being both reliable and valid?

It's a perfect instrument (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of primary data sources in research studies?

High level of control with less bias (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of secondary data sources in research studies?

Validation may be difficult or impossible (C) Signup and view all the answers

In which type of research study is the patient sample typically heterogeneous?

Secondary data source (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of groups in randomized trials?

Comparable if data come from randomized trials (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of primary data sources?

Less expensive (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of randomized trials?

Very expensive and time-consuming (B) Signup and view all the answers