Summary healthy research methods

DALY You want to assess the burden of mental health conditions of veterans returning from long deployments in war zones. Which measure might you use to assess years lived with diminished health? Abstract A paragraph-length summary of an article, chapter, or book. Abstract database An online collection of abstracts that allows researchers to search for articles using keywords or other search terms. Accuracy In a survey instrument, diagnostic test, or other assessment tool, a condition that is established when the responses or measurements are shown to be correct; also called validity. Action research Qualitative research that is designed to allow participants to work together to solve a problem. Advance access The availability of a research manuscript on a journal's website prior to the assignment of that article to a particular issue of the journal. Adverse event A negative reaction to an intervention during an experimental study or another bad outcome of research; these must be immediately reported to the appropriate institutional review board. (IRB). Affiliation The name of the school where an author is enrolled or the name of the employer of an author who participated in the project as part of his or her work responsibilities. Age adjustment Methods used to improve the accuracy of comparisons of two populations with very different age distributions; similar methods can be used to statistically adjust for other important differences between comparison populations. Agent Based Modeling Modeling that uses computers to simulate the actions and interactions of various individuals (agents) in a population; sometimes called agent-based simulation or individual-based modeling. Aggregate study A study that analyzes population-level data and does not include any individual-level data; also called a correlational study. Allocation bias Bias that occurs as a result of non-random assignment of participants to experimental groups. Allowable costs Expenses that are approved for a funded grant or contract as opposed to items that are not acceptable according to the terms of the grant or contract. Alpha A Greek letter used to indicate the p-value at which a statistical result is considered statistically significant. Alternative hypothesis A statement describing the expected result if there is a difference between the populations being compared. ANCOVA acronym for analysis of covariance, which is used to control for confounding variables when comparing the means of two or more groups. Anonymity The inability of the identity of a participant to be identified from his/her responses to a survey instrument or records in a database. Anonymized data set A data file that has been stripped of all potentially identifying information, such as names, contact information, national identity numbers, health insurance information, or facial photographs. ANOVA