Research Study Designs

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary goal of descriptive research designs?

To evaluate the causality of associations

To manipulate variables and test hypotheses

To observe, describe, and document aspects of a situation as it naturally occurs (correct)

To develop new data through experimentation

What type of study design involves the manipulation of variables?

Analytic study

Observational study

Experimental design (correct)

Descriptive study

Which type of observational study involves populations as the unit of study?

Case-control study

Cross-sectional study

Cohort study

Ecological study (correct)

What is the primary purpose of descriptive studies in research?

To generate hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

Which type of study is useful when little is known about a disease?

Descriptive study Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of descriptive research?

It is relatively inexpensive and less time-consuming Signup and view all the answers

Which type of study design involves the evaluation of the causality of associations?

Analytic study Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the first step in descriptive studies?

Defining the population Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of inferential research?

To make conclusions about a population based on a sample Signup and view all the answers

Which approach involves manipulating one or more independent variables to observe their effect on a dependent variable?

Experimental Research Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of simulation research?

To create a model or representation of a real-world process or system Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of descriptive research?

Surveying a sample of 500 people to estimate the entire population's opinions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a hypothesis in research?

To test a casual relationship between variables Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative approaches?

The type of data collected Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of experimental research?

To establish cause-and-effect relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of observational research?

Observing the behavior of a group of people in a natural setting Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using computer models or physical replicas in research?

To simulate situations and observe the outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a criterion for good research?

Report with frankness and acknowledge procedural flaws Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a literature review in research?

To search for previous research in the same topic or related topics Signup and view all the answers

What is the next step after formulation of a hypothesis in the research process?

Research design including the sample design and calculation of sample size Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of descriptive research?

To identify patterns and correlations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of experimental designs?

Manipulating an independent variable Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of observational studies?

To observe phenomena in their natural environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of statistical testing in research?

To determine the significance of the findings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Observational Study Designs

Descriptive studies aim to observe, describe, and document aspects of a situation as it naturally occurs.
They do not involve the manipulation of variables and are relatively inexpensive and less time-consuming.
Types of descriptive studies:
- Ecological (correlational, with populations as unit of study)
- Cross-sectional (prevalence, with individuals as units)
- Case reports
- Case series
Analytical studies:
- Case-control (case-reference, with individual as a unit)
- Cohort (follow-up, with individual as a unit)

Experimental Designs

Randomized controlled trials (clinical trials, with patients as a unit)
Field trials (community intervention, with healthy people as a unit)
Community trials (with communities as a unit)

Descriptive vs. Analytic Study Designs

Descriptive studies:
- Used when little is known about the disease
- Rely on preexisting data
- Who, where, when
- Illustrate potential associations
Analytic studies:
- Used when insight about various aspects of disease is available
- Rely on development of new data
- Why (factor/cause)
- Evaluate the causality of association

Steps in Descriptive Studies

Defining the population
Defining the disease under study

Objectives of Research

Find out truth which is hidden and has not been discovered yet
Gain familiarity with a phenomenon or achieve new insights into it
Portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation, or group
Determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with something else
Test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables

Approaches in Research

Quantitative Approach:
- Inferential
- Experimental
- Simulation
Qualitative Approach:
- Subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions, and behavior
- Not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis

Inferential Research

Inferential statistics involve drawing conclusions about a population based on a sample from that population.
Process: Collect data from a sample, use statistical methods to make inferences or predictions about the broader population.

Criteria of Good Research

Purpose should be clearly defined
Common concepts to be used
Explain procedure clearly for continuity
Results should be as objective as possible
Report with frankness, acknowledging procedural flaws and limitations of the study
Appropriate statistical test of significance
Reliable outcome measures
Justify conclusions with data
Limitation of data
Experienced researcher
Systematic and logical

How to Choose a Research Subject

Based on an idea
Based on your experience
Based on your reading
Originality

Research Designs

Statement of research problem and needs
Relevance of the problem to health activities, field of application of research results
Steps in conducting a research:
- Review of literature (search for previous research in same topic or related topics)
- Formulation of hypothesis and define your study objectives
- Research design including the sample design and calculation of sample size
- Selection of controls and study instruments
- Data collection and the execution of the project
- Analysis of data and testing of hypothesis
- Interpretation and generalization of results
- Preparation and presentation of the study results

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Description

This quiz covers different types of observational and experimental study designs in research, including descriptive and analytical studies, case-control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials.