Epidemiology Study Designs II: Experimental Research

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of experimental research?

It involves controlling conditions and manipulating independent variables (correct)

It focuses on observing and documenting natural phenomena

It emphasizes qualitative analysis over quantitative analysis

It relies solely on historical data and records

Why is experimental research considered a powerful tool?

It depends heavily on theoretical models and simulations

It focuses on correlational analysis rather than causal relationships

It relies on anecdotal evidence and personal experiences

It allows direct assessment of how one variable influences another (correct)

What must be done with extraneous variables in experimental research?

They must be given equal weight as the independent variables

They must be purposely manipulated

They must be completely ignored

They must be held constant (correct)

What is crucial for understanding how different factors influence the outcome of a study?

Manipulating variables and observing the effects Signup and view all the answers

Which variable is known as the 'cause' and can be manipulated or altered?

Independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What type of variable is expected to be dependent on the manipulation of the independent variable?

Dependent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is used to control subjects’ knowledge of whether or not they have been given the experimental treatment?

Blinding Signup and view all the answers

What type of assignment is based on chance and provides 'control by chance'?

Randomization Signup and view all the answers

Which term indicates whether the independent variable was the sole cause of the change in the dependent variable?

Internal validity Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the extent to which the results of an experiment are applicable to the real world?

External validity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of experiment is characterized by high control, high internal validity, but low external validity?

Laboratory experiment Signup and view all the answers

'One-shot design' and 'Static group design' are examples of which type of experimental design?

Pre-experimental design Signup and view all the answers

'A single measure is recorded after the treatment is administered' describes which pre-experimental design?

'One shot' study Signup and view all the answers

'Subjects in experimental group are measured before and after treatment is administered' describes which pre-experimental design?

'One-group pretest-posttest' design Signup and view all the answers

What classification does a randomized controlled trial belong to in social sciences experimental study design?

True experimental Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of quasi-experimental designs?

High control and low external validity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The text discusses experimental epidemiology and its designs, with a focus on the importance of experimental research and definitions related to it.
Experimental research is a method for investigating cause-and-effect relationships by controlling conditions and manipulating independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables.
Key components of experimental research include the importance of experimental design, definitions of dependent and independent variables, confounding variables, blinding, randomization, experimental treatments, and internal and external validity.
Laboratory and field experiments differ in terms of environment, demand artifacts, internal validity, and external validity.
The text also discusses the experimental study design classifications in social sciences and pre-experimental designs, which include one-shot and one-group pretest-posttest designs.
One-shot studies involve measuring a single variable after treatment administration, while one-group pretest-posttest designs measure the same individuals before and after the treatment, but lack a control group.
Pre-experimental designs are often used in exploratory research, but lack proper control for external or internal validity and cannot be classified as true experiments.

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Description

Explore the subtopics and lesson outcomes of experimental epidemiology, including the types of designs and the process of conducting experimental research to test hypotheses and establish causality.