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Scientific rigor must be balanced by careful adherence to a code of research ethics. This includes respect for the word “no” when someone is asked to be in a study. In this regard, which concern (shown below) is the most likely aspect of rigor that may be sacrificed to protect ethics in research?

Why is randomization used in “true” experiments?

You are interested in examining the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve nutrition education in low-income teen mothers. Which of the following study designs would be the best to use when trying to answer this question?

A researcher designs a randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of a physical activity intervention on sleep quality. Participants are asked to rate sleep duration and sleep quality using a validated measure at a pretest visit, are randomized to attend either 3 exercises classes (intervention) or health education classes (control) each week for 3 months, and are then asked to return for a posttest assessment where they again rate their sleep duration and sleep quality using the same validated measure. In this study, what is the between-subjects factor?

Which of the following sampling techniques can help control for a known a confounding variable?

A research study notes that 50% of individuals who are eligible for a study ultimately decided to not enroll. This study likely has an issue related to:

An IRB can conduct three types of review (full, expedited, and exempt). Only the IRB can determine whether a given application qualifies for full versus expedited; however, the investigator is allowed to determine when research is exempt. In cases when this determination is made, IRB review is not necessary.

When conducting participant observation, the researcher role of ______________ describes when the researcher conceals their identity (i.e., they do not tell anyone that they are a researcher or conducting research) and fully immerses themselves with a target group, taking part in the events/behaviors they are interested in studying. 

A research team has proposed a to conduct a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of a new cholesterol drug. In describing the methods and justification for the trial, the authors note “This study will take place in a rural area of Guatemala. The results of this study are important because they can provide efficacy and safety data about this drug. This data will be submitted to the United States Food and Drug Administration, in order to support the release of this drug on the U.S. commercial market.” This study violates the Belmont Report ethical principle of _______ .

You work at a state public health agency and have been asked to determine whether a recent change in your state’s laws regarding alcohol taxes has an effect on alcohol sales in your state. Which of the following study designs would be the best to use when trying to answer this question?