Introducing quantitative research

Question 1

What things are pre-stated before a quantitative study?

Answer 1

• Aims (broad statement)
• objectives
• hypotheses (statement of relationship between variables)

Question 2

What are the key features of Quantitative research?

Answer 2

• measurable
• aims, objectives, hypotheses
• standardised procedures
• outcomes = valid and reliable
• results presented statistically
• results aimed at: falsification (testing hypothesis), estimated causal relationships and estimated association between variables

Question 3

What is validity?

Answer 3

when a study measures what it intends to measure

Question 4

What is reliability?

Answer 4

That the study must be repeatable and produce similar effects

Question 5

What should results of quantitative research be aimed at?

Answer 5

• falsification
• establishing causal relationships
• establishing association between variables

Question 6

Describe expert opinion

Answer 6

• lowest level of opinion
• high chance of bias/ errors
• only possible evidence source
• can be considered as research
• has some gravity

Question 7

What is a case-control study?

Answer 7

• type of observational study
• conducted in retrospect
• starts with a condition (the case)
• matched with a control
• unable to attribute causation

Question 8

What is a cohort study?

Answer 8

• looks at association between one entity and another
• e.g. smokers vs. non-smokers
• data collected prospectively
• collect the data you want
• provides greater precision (than case-control)

Question 9

What are case-reports?

Answer 9

• descriptive studies

- tend to be small

Question 10

What is case-series?

Answer 10

• same as case-report but >10 cases

- aim to measure course/progression of disease

Question 11

Strengths of case-series?

Answer 11

• speed of deployment

- provides useful initial pilot data

Question 12

Limitations of case-series?

Answer 12

• insufficient numbers for meaningful analysis

- only involve single groups so no independant control group

Question 13

Name the 9 components of the Bradford-Hill criteria

Answer 13

-temporal relationship, strength, dose-response relationship, consistency, plausibility, consideration of alternate explanations, experiment, specificity, coherence

Question 14

What are randomised controlled trials?

Answer 14

• prospective
• intervention given
• PPs randomly allocated to recieve intervention or not
• outcome of interest = measured