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The Scientific Method
File 3
21
Veterinary Medicine
Professional
01/15/2015

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Term
Definition: Law
Definition
-appears without exception; has become consolidated by repeated successful testing; often expressed in concise verbal or mathematical statement
Term
Definition: Theory
Definition
-scientifically accepted general principle supported by substantial body of evidence; provides explanation of observed facts/events and basis for future investigation
Term
Definition: Hypothesis
Definition
-a specific statement or question to be evaluated
Term
Does one study ever prove anything?
Definition
-no
Term
True or False: Scientifically, we cannot prove anything.
Definition
TRUE
Term
Definition: Null hypothesis
Definition
-there is no linkage b/n the things we are researching
Term
Definition: Independent variables
Definition
-the variables we change
Term
Definition: Dependent variables
Definition
-the outcome
Term
Definition: True status
Definition
-existence of difference (association, disease, etc)
Term
What are the 4 possible outcomes of a study?
Definition
1) The study detected a difference when it existed (correct conclusion)
2) Type I error: rejected null hypothesis when it was true (did not detect a difference that was there)
3)Type II error: failed to reject null hypothesis when it was false (detected a difference when there wasn't one)
4) didn't detect a difference when there wasn't one
Term
The probability finding is due to chance and is compared to pre-established _______ to determine significance.
Definition
-alpha value
Term
Definition: Beta
Definition
-probability of a type II error
Term
Definition: 1- Beta
Definition
-Power, the probability of rejecting null hypothesis when it is false
Term
How can a wrong conclusion be made in a well-designed study?
Definition
-by using a small group of subjects to represent the population of interest
Term
What is the significance of the bellcurve?
Definition
-for many characteristics in the world, there will be an average value and variation in the population (standard deviation)
Term
How should one go about selecting a sample to avoid bias? When is this altered?
Definition
-best way is random selection
-altered is you must block a specific factor to not skew the results (age, gender, breed, location, etc)
Term
How do we extimate the probability of finding a difference this larger, or larger, if the null is true?
Definition
-estimate P-value
Term
How do we determine if findings are significant?
Definition
-compare calculated P-value to pre-determined alpha threshold (0.05)
Term
Explain what happens to the power if the following occurs:
a)higher alpha
b)stronger association
c)larger sample size
d)larger variation among population
Definition
a)increases power
b)increases power
c)increases power
d)decreases power
Term
Are all statistically significant findings clinically relevant?
Definition
-no, small differences may e found that would not change your clinical judgement
Term
Are all clinically relevant findings statistically significant?
Definition
-no (low power of study), there are important differences that WOULD alter your clinical judgment that could be missed
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