PS381 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Epidemiological Method, Dependent And Independent Variables, Factor Analysis
Document Summary
Purposes of research: allows individuals to discover things for themselves, rather than relying solely on the knowledge of others, helps avoid speculation and misconception, provides a way for researchers to extend and modify existing theories. Epidemiological methods: epidemiology is the study of the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of illness or disease in a given population, survey- and interview-based. A statistic that describes the relationship between two variables: causality. The relationship between two events (cause and effect) A statistical method for examining the interrelationships among a number of variables at the same time. Cross-sectional vs. longitudinal approaches: cross-sectional: a research design that compares different groups of individuals at one point in time. Subject-focused, observe differences between groups: longitudinal: a research design that compares the same group of individuals at two or more points in time. Time-focused, observe changes over time: complications. Longitudinal: cost, design flaws influence later data collection, loss of participants.