Evidence-Based Practice II: Semi-Experimental and Experimental Study Designs

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What is the primary purpose of using random assignment in experimental study designs?

To increase the sample size of the study
To increase the validity of the findings
To control for potential errors and ensure the result is due to the intervention (correct)
To reduce the cost of conducting the study

Which type of study design provides the strongest evidence for concluding causation?

Systematic Reviews
Case-Control Studies
Cohort Studies
Randomized Controlled Trials (correct)

What is the primary advantage of using experimental study designs?

They are easier to implement
They are less expensive to conduct
They are less time-consuming
They provide the strongest evidence for concluding causation (correct)

What is the main difference between semi-experimental and experimental study designs?

The level of control over extraneous variables (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of using case reports and case series in research?

They are prone to bias and lack generalizability (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using meta-analysis in research?

To combine the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of randomization in clinical trials?

To make all study groups as equal as possible at the beginning of the experiment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential issue with simple randomization?

It can result in an imbalance in the number of subjects in the groups (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of stratification in randomization?

To identify known factors that may influence the study outcome (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of block randomization?

It ensures an equal balance between groups, especially when interim analyses are planned (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential concern with the use of placebo in clinical trials?

It raises ethical concerns (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to limit the information provided to the person randomizing study participants?

To prevent bias by limiting unnecessary information (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the washout period in a crossover trial?

To allow for the elimination of the treatment's effects (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of a crossover trial design?

It requires a smaller sample size compared to parallel-group designs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phenomenon where patients improve simply because they receive special attention by being in a study?

Hawthorne effect (D) Signup and view all the answers

How many phases are involved in a crossover trial?

Three (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a Phase I crossover trial?

To assign the groups to the experimental treatment and placebo (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an equivalency experimental study design?

To determine whether the new drug is therapeutically similar to the control drug (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of randomization in experimental study designs?

It decreases bias and confounding variables (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of experimental study designs in terms of generalizability?

They have difficulty generalizing to a population due to the controlled environment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main disadvantage of experimental study designs in terms of ethics?

Ethical concerns may arise (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the small pre-specified amount by which the tested agent is not worse than the comparator?

Delta (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why non-randomized controlled trials are considered weaker than RCTs?

They are open to many sources of bias (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using semi-experimental study designs?

They are less expensive and have a faster timeline (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of using non-randomized controlled trials?

Their conclusions are highly questionable (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which field of study are non-randomized controlled trials more commonly used?

Social sciences (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between semi-experimental and experimental study designs?

The presence or absence of randomization (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of not using randomization in study designs?

Dissimilar groups and highly questionable conclusions (C) Signup and view all the answers