Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a critical consideration when selecting a study design?
What is a critical consideration when selecting a study design?
Which of the following elements is NOT typically included in defining a study design?
Which of the following elements is NOT typically included in defining a study design?
What is the purpose of having control measures in a study?
What is the purpose of having control measures in a study?
Which method is least likely to be influenced by political considerations when designing a study?
Which method is least likely to be influenced by political considerations when designing a study?
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What does a well-defined endpoint in research signify?
What does a well-defined endpoint in research signify?
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In the context of research design, what does the acronym PICO stand for?
In the context of research design, what does the acronym PICO stand for?
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Which aspect is most critical in justifying the sample size for a research project?
Which aspect is most critical in justifying the sample size for a research project?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a well-defined study methodology?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a well-defined study methodology?
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Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of quantitative research?
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of quantitative research?
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What is a distinguishing feature of qualitative research methods compared to quantitative methods?
What is a distinguishing feature of qualitative research methods compared to quantitative methods?
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Which type of analysis is primarily concerned with studying communication patterns?
Which type of analysis is primarily concerned with studying communication patterns?
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In quantitative research, what does blinding aim to reduce?
In quantitative research, what does blinding aim to reduce?
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What type of research design specifically does not utilize randomization?
What type of research design specifically does not utilize randomization?
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Which philosophical paradigm emphasizes a problem-centered approach and empirical observation?
Which philosophical paradigm emphasizes a problem-centered approach and empirical observation?
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What type of research primarily focuses on generating hypotheses through the understanding of social phenomena?
What type of research primarily focuses on generating hypotheses through the understanding of social phenomena?
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Which of the following research methodologies is generally associated with qualitative research?
Which of the following research methodologies is generally associated with qualitative research?
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Which epistemological stance does NOT emphasize social/historical construction of knowledge?
Which epistemological stance does NOT emphasize social/historical construction of knowledge?
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What is a defining characteristic of mixed methods research?
What is a defining characteristic of mixed methods research?
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Which of the following is not considered research 'with a capital R'?
Which of the following is not considered research 'with a capital R'?
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What does the term 'interpretivism' primarily focus on in research?
What does the term 'interpretivism' primarily focus on in research?
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Which characteristic defines qualitative research methods?
Which characteristic defines qualitative research methods?
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What is the primary purpose of control groups in research studies?
What is the primary purpose of control groups in research studies?
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In the context of sampling methods, which of the following is considered a non-probability sampling technique?
In the context of sampling methods, which of the following is considered a non-probability sampling technique?
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What distinguishes descriptive statistics from inferential statistics?
What distinguishes descriptive statistics from inferential statistics?
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What is the importance of power calculations in research design?
What is the importance of power calculations in research design?
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What is the main goal of using patient-reported outcome measures in research?
What is the main goal of using patient-reported outcome measures in research?
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Which of the following describes the process of saturation in qualitative research?
Which of the following describes the process of saturation in qualitative research?
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What role does Bonferroni adjustment play in research?
What role does Bonferroni adjustment play in research?
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What is the primary challenge associated with pragmatic trials in naturalistic clinical settings?
What is the primary challenge associated with pragmatic trials in naturalistic clinical settings?
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What is the primary purpose of a power calculation in quantitative research?
What is the primary purpose of a power calculation in quantitative research?
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Which of the following factors does NOT typically affect power calculations?
Which of the following factors does NOT typically affect power calculations?
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Which of these types of studies involves the analysis of data collected from a specific population at a single point in time?
Which of these types of studies involves the analysis of data collected from a specific population at a single point in time?
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What is the typical probability associated with a Type I error in clinical research?
What is the typical probability associated with a Type I error in clinical research?
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In the context of research resources, which of the following is considered a non-material resource?
In the context of research resources, which of the following is considered a non-material resource?
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The larger the sample size in a study, what effect does it generally have on the confidence interval?
The larger the sample size in a study, what effect does it generally have on the confidence interval?
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What must researchers consider regarding the expected withdrawals and missing data while performing a power calculation?
What must researchers consider regarding the expected withdrawals and missing data while performing a power calculation?
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Which type of study design primarily evaluates the effect of an intervention by comparing outcomes between experimental and control groups?
Which type of study design primarily evaluates the effect of an intervention by comparing outcomes between experimental and control groups?
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Study Notes
Research Project Design
- The lecture aims to develop an understanding of research design and its components, enabling students to define study designs, including all elements, based on a research question/problem.
- Key steps in research design include: learning and differentiating common study designs, understanding sample size concepts, identifying necessary resources/sample size for a research project, and defining study conditions/control measures, endpoints, and outcome measures.
- Students should be familiar with scientific theory, literature review, research questions (PICO/PEO/SPIDER), aims/objectives/hypotheses, population/sample, rationale/impact, data collection methods, definition of success/endpoints, and ethical considerations.
- Design choices are influenced by constraints and opportunities related to logistics, practicality, and politics.
- Designs should be guided by established strategy, methodology, and research paradigms (e.g., positivism).
- A review of research knowledge and methods is recommended.
Meaningful Research
- Research involves combining epistemology (knowledge) and ontology (science of how things are known).
- Different philosophical paradigms (post-positivism/realism, pragmatism, pluralistic, interpretivism/relativism, advocacy, participatory) guide various approaches to research (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods).
Research Strategies/Methodologies
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Quantitative research (experimental, non-experimental) includes approaches like surveys, Quasi-experimental, Cross-sectional, Service evaluation, and Audit.
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Qualitative research involves understanding individuals' social reality (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, motivations) through non-numerical, descriptive data, naturalistic observations, hypothesis generation/contextualisation. Rigorous and robust strategies and methods are important.
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Qualitative research methods can include interviews, focus groups, diary methods, and observations. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke), content analysis, and discourse/conversation analysis are common qualitative analytical approaches.
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Quantitative research methods often use randomisation, blinding of participants, use of valid assessment tools, and intention to treat analyses. Descriptive and inferential statistics are used, controlling interventions, and comparing outcomes (prospective and retrospective). Types of experimental research include randomised controlled trials, longitudinal studies, and cross-sectional studies.
Study Conditions/Trial Arms
- Clear description of alternative interventions is crucial for reliability.
- Comparisons should be made against control groups (e.g., usual care, placebo).
- Appropriate control measures ensure only the intervention of interest is explored.
- Optimal control of variables (laboratory type) versus pragmatic approaches in real-world settings.
- The optimal strategy includes a balance between control and realistic implementation; consider potential confounding factors.
Outcome Measures and Endpoints
- Outcome measures evaluate patients' reported outcomes.
- Endpoints (e.g. clinical significance, survival rate) should be clearly defined.
- Statistical significance, clinical significance, and relevant benchmarks (ambulance attendance, HCP contacts) should be considered.
Sample Size
- Research questions must consider optimal and feasible sample sizes for research within undergraduate parameters.
- Optimal sample size for different research types, ensuring scientific validity.
- Understanding sample size that is logistically feasible to design an appropriate study.
- Calculation of power (estimate of minimum sample size) is important to avoid Type I and II errors. Factors such as variance/standard deviation, sample size, clinical significance, and likelihood of type I or II errors are crucial factors in calculating power.
Research Resources
- Research resources encompass time, travel, IT, expert advice, equipment, printing, administration, and venue.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the essential components of research project design, covering study designs and critical elements based on research questions. Students will learn to differentiate between study designs, sample size considerations, and ethical implications. Understand the foundational aspects needed to create a robust research proposal.
