Research Methodology in Homeopathy Flashcards
7 cards from real CCH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Research Methodology in Homeopathy flashcards as text
What is the main challenge when applying standard RCT methodology to classical homeopathy?
Answer: Individualization makes it difficult to standardize treatment
Classical homeopathy prescribes individualized remedies, which conflicts with the standardized treatment protocol required in conventional RCTs.
What is a systematic review in the context of homeopathy research?
Answer: A comprehensive synthesis of all relevant studies on a specific question using defined criteria
A systematic review identifies, evaluates, and synthesizes all available evidence on a topic using explicit, reproducible methods.
Which concept describes the tendency for participants in studies to improve simply because they are receiving attention and care?
Answer: Hawthorne effect
The Hawthorne effect refers to behavioral or health changes that occur because participants know they are being observed or cared for.
In homeopathic research, what is 'N-of-1' trial design?
Answer: A single-patient crossover trial comparing active and placebo periods
An N-of-1 trial is a within-person crossover study where an individual alternates between active treatment and placebo in multiple cycles.
What does 'allocation concealment' protect against in a clinical trial?
Answer: Selection bias during group assignment
Allocation concealment prevents researchers from knowing the upcoming treatment assignment, reducing the risk of selection bias.
Which design feature is essential to distinguish the specific effects of a homeopathic remedy from non-specific effects?
Answer: Placebo control group
A placebo control group allows researchers to isolate specific effects of the remedy from non-specific effects like expectation and therapeutic encounter.
What does 'ecological validity' mean in homeopathic research?
Answer: The degree to which study findings can be generalized to real-world clinical practice
Ecological validity refers to how well a study's conditions and findings reflect actual homeopathic practice outside the research setting.