C431 Topic 4 exam with 100% correct answers already graded A+

How do we know research is trustworthy Trustworthiness of quantitative research is based on an appraisal of internal validity, external validity, reliability, and objectivity Validity the extent to which a test measures or predicts what it is supposed to. Measures whether the extent to which the test claims to measure is achieved. Reliability Consistency of test results, Measures whether the test gives consistent results at its outcome. Cohort A sample of study participants being followed over time Construct intangible described as a concept representing something that is not directly observable. Construct validity refers to the degree to which inferences can legitimately be made from the operationalizations in your study to the theoretical constructs on which those operationalizations were based. • Internal validity: the degree of control an investigator exercises over the condition of an experimental design External validity: the ability to generalize study findings to the population of individuals with similar characteristics represented in the study. External validity is the degree to which the conclusions in your study would hold for other persons in other places and at other times Bias Bias is a form of systematic error that can affect scientific investigations and distort the measurement process. Selection/sampling Bias Selection bias occurs when there is a systematic procedural error in the selection of subjects or when a nonrandom (nonprobability) sample is utilized. It is important to note that random sampling is often not possible or even advisable, depending on the amount of time available for the study as well as financial and labor resources. MEASUREMENT BIAS Measurement bias can include inaccurate measurement tools, calculation errors, mistakes in recording measurements, participant bias, recall bias, and more. • When inaccuracy in measurement occurs, it often leads to incorrect conclusions. • There are countless types of measurement errors. Although we cannot describe every type of measurement error, you will have the ability to look for them in the studies you read by considering if there are any ways in which the data collected in the study were inaccurate. Recall bias Patients might not remember completely or accurately the history of their symptoms, exposures, or behaviors. • Furthermore, patients without a disease are less likely to recall prior exposures or behaviors compared to patients with a disease. In fact, recall bias is considered by some experts to be pervasive in case-control studies and to some degree in most observational studies. Publication Bias Publication bias occurs when the determination of whether to publish a study is based on factors other than the quality of the research and the relevance of its findings. • Sometimes studies are not published because no statistical significance was found in the research. In other words, if the authors of a study find one medication is not significantly better than another, the study is less likely to get published, even though this information might be of great utility to healthcare providers.