Thinking about networks: Research questions and study design

2015 ◽  
pp. 39-62
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Research Questions

Natural Experiments in Business Research Methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Withers ◽  
Chi Hon Li
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Causal Relationships ◽  
Random Assignment ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Viable Approach

Causal identification is an important consideration for organizational researchers as they attempt to develop a theoretical understanding of the causes and effects of organizational phenomena. Without valid causal identification, insights regarding organizational phenomena are challenging given their inherent complexity. In other words, organizational research will be limited in its scientific progression. Randomized controlled experiments are often suggested to provide the ideal study design necessary to address potential confounding effects and isolate true causal relationships. Nevertheless, only a few research questions lend themselves to this study design. In particular, the full randomization of subjects in the treatment and control group may not be possible due to the empirical constraints. Within the strategic management area, for example, scholars often use secondary data to examine research questions related to competitive advantage and firm performance. Natural experiments are increasingly recognized as a viable approach to identify causal relationships without true random assignment. Natural experiments leverage external sources of variation to isolate causal effects and avoid potentially confounding influences that often arise in observational data. Natural experiments require two key assumptions—the as-if random assignment assumption and the stable unit treatment value assumption. When these assumptions are met, natural experiments can be an important methodological approach for advancing causal understanding of organizational phenomena.

scholarly journals Study Design in Neurosurgical Research: Considerations for Observational and Experimental Cohort Studies

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Christopher E Louie ◽  
Erin D’Agostino ◽  
Alexander Woods ◽  
Timothy Ryken
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Clinical Study ◽  
Cohort Studies ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Chronic Subdural Hematoma ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Fundamental Study ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Study Designs

Abstract There is inadequate neurosurgical literature discussing appropriate clinical study design. Here, we explore considerations for 2 fundamental study designs of epidemiology: experimental and observational cohort studies, through examples of theoretical yet realistic neurosurgical research questions. By examining 2 common neurosurgical procedures—namely, subdural drains for evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma, and the utility of navigation for placing external ventricular drains—we characterize the framework of cohort study models for clinical research applications.

scholarly journals Co-creating a local environmental epidemiology study: the case of citizen science for investigating air pollution and related health risks in Barcelona, Spain

2022 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Gignac ◽  
Valeria Righi ◽  
Raül Toran ◽  
Lucía Paz Errandonea ◽  
Rodney Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Environmental Epidemiology ◽  
Research Questions

Abstract Background While the health risks of air pollution attract considerable attention, both scholarly and within the general population, citizens are rarely involved in environmental health research, beyond participating as data subjects. Co-created citizen science is an approach that fosters collaboration between scientists and lay people to engage the latter in all phases of research. Currently, this approach is rare in environmental epidemiology and when co-creation processes do take place, they are often not documented. This paper describes the first stages of an ongoing co-created citizen science epidemiological project in Barcelona (Spain), that included identifying topics that citizens wish to investigate as regards air pollution and health, formulating their concerns into research questions and co-designing the study protocol. This paper also reflects key trade-offs between scientific rigor and public engagement and provides suggestions to consider when applying citizen science to environmental health studies. Methods Experts created an online survey and analyzed responses with descriptive statistics and qualitative coding. A pop-up intervention was held to discuss with citizens their concerns about air pollution and health. Later on, a community meeting was organized to narrow down the research topics and list potential research questions. In an online survey, citizens were asked to vote for the research question they would like to investigate with the experts. A workshop was held to choose a study design in which citizens would like to partake to answer their preferred research question. Results According to 488 respondents from the first survey, cognitive and mental health were the main priorities of investigation. Based on the second survey, with 27% of the votes from 556 citizens, the most popular research question was, “How does air pollution together with noise and green/blue spaces affect mental health?”. The study design selected was an observational study in which citizens provide daily repeated measures of different cognitive and mental health outcomes and relate them to the air pollution concentrations. Conclusions Based on the co-creation activities and the results obtained, we conclude that applying citizen science in an environmental health project is valuable for researchers despite some challenges such as engaging citizens and maximizing representativity.

scholarly journals Delineando a pesquisa clínica

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Rafael Lemes de Aquino ◽  
Lorena Silva Vargas ◽  
Adriana Lemos de Sousa Neto ◽  
Aline Maria Santos Maganhoto ◽  
Núbia Fernandes Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Primary Focus

The book "Outlining Clinical Research" by Stephen B. Hulley, Steven R. Cummings, Warren S. Browner, Deborah G. Grady and Thomas B. Newman, translated by Michael Schimdt Duncan and André Garcia Islabão, and published, in 2015, by the publisher Artmed. As a primary focus, it is the instrumentalization of readers so that they can formulate research questions and plan an effective, systemic and ethical study design.

scholarly journals The Taboo Against Explicit Causal Inference in Nonexperimental Psychology

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 1243-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Grosz ◽  
Julia M. Rohrer ◽  
Felix Thoemmes
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Causal Inference ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Causal Reasoning ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subsequent Work ◽  
Causal Mechanisms ◽  
Causal Assumptions ◽  
Research Questions

Causal inference is a central goal of research. However, most psychologists refrain from explicitly addressing causal research questions and avoid drawing causal inference on the basis of nonexperimental evidence. We argue that this taboo against causal inference in nonexperimental psychology impairs study design and data analysis, holds back cumulative research, leads to a disconnect between original findings and how they are interpreted in subsequent work, and limits the relevance of nonexperimental psychology for policymaking. At the same time, the taboo does not prevent researchers from interpreting findings as causal effects—the inference is simply made implicitly, and assumptions remain unarticulated. Thus, we recommend that nonexperimental psychologists begin to talk openly about causal assumptions and causal effects. Only then can researchers take advantage of recent methodological advances in causal reasoning and analysis and develop a solid understanding of the underlying causal mechanisms that can inform future research, theory, and policymakers.

Gene Methylation Data – a New Challenge for Bioinformaticians?

2005 ◽  
Vol 44 (04) ◽  
pp. 516-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Müller ◽  
H. Fiegl ◽  
M. Widschwendter ◽  
G. Goebel
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Methylation Data ◽  
Methylation Analysis ◽  
Gene Methylation ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Dna Methylation Analysis

Summary Objectives: Changes in the status of DNA methylation, known as epigenetic alterations, are among the most common molecular alterations in human neoplasia. For the first time, we reported on the analysis of fecal DNA from patients with CRC to determine the feasibility, sensitivity and specificity of this approach. We want to present basic information about DNA methylation analysis in the context of bioinformatics, the study design and several statistical experiences with gene methylation data. Additionally we outline chances and new research questions in the field of DNA methylation. Methods: We present current approaches to DNA methylation analysis based on one reference study. Its study design and the statistical analysis is reflected in the context of biomarker development. Finally we outline perspectives and research questions for statisticians and bioinformaticians. Results: Identification of at least three genes as potential DNA methylation-based tumor marker genes (SFRP2, SFRP5, PGR). Conclusions: DNA methylation analysis is a rising topic in molecular genetics. Gene methylation will push the extension of biobanks to include new types of genetic data. Study design and statistical methods for the detection of methylation biomarkers must be improved. For the purpose of establishing methylation analysis as a new diagnostic/prognostic tool the adaptation of several approaches has become a challenging field of research activity.

scholarly journals THE ANALYSIS OF SYNONYMS ON WANCI DIALECT IN KEPULAUAN TUKANG BESI LANGUAGE (A Case Study at Liya Togo Village)

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Sunarti Sunarti ◽  
Tambunan Tambunan ◽  
La Miliha
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Local Language ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Research Questions

This study aimed at investigating the synonym on Wanci Dialect (WD) in Kepulauan Tukang Besi Language (KTBL) at Liya Togo village. The research questions of this study were “What are the forms of synonym and how are the synonyms of KTBL used? ‟.  Relating to the research question above, the researcher formulates two main objectives namely: to describe clearly the synonym found in WD and the use of every synonym in WD. The researcher used a qualitative approach with a case study design. The data found out from the informants. The utility of this research is as additional information about synonym found in WD to increase and maintain the local language. This  research  only  focuses on noun, verb and adjective categories. The Result of this research shows that in Kepulauan Tukang Besi where Wanci dialect spoken especially at Liya Togo Village, there were  nine  nouns  that  are  synonymous.  Then,  there  were  three adjectives that are synonymous. In addition, there were fifteen verbs that are synonymous.

Educational Research Questions and Study Design

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Horn ◽  
B. Plazas Snyder ◽  
J. H. Coverdale ◽  
A. K. Louie ◽  
L. W. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Educational Research ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Research Questions
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