Mixed Deck — All CRS Topics Flashcards

Which data quality issue occurs when records are counted more than once in a dataset?

Answer: Duplication error

Duplication errors inflate record counts and distort analyses, and must be identified and removed during data cleaning.

Which analysis method tests relationships between variables?

Answer: Correlation analysis

Correlation analysis is a statistical method specifically designed to examine the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two or more quantitative variables. It helps researchers understand if and how variables move together, indicating a potential association. While it shows relationships, it's important to note that correlation does not imply causation.

When a study measures participants at multiple time points to track change over time, it is called a:

Answer: Longitudinal study

Longitudinal studies follow the same participants over an extended period to examine how variables change over time.

Which critical appraisal tool is commonly used to assess the quality of qualitative studies in a literature review?

Answer: CASP Qualitative Checklist

The CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) Qualitative Checklist evaluates rigor, credibility, and relevance of qualitative research.

A market researcher wants to segment customers into distinct groups based on purchasing behavior without predefined categories. Which technique is most appropriate?

Answer: Cluster Analysis

Cluster analysis is an unsupervised technique that groups observations into homogeneous clusters based on similarity without requiring predefined group membership.

A researcher presenting findings at a conference should prioritize which of the following in their presentation design?

Answer: Highlighting key findings with clear visuals and a logical narrative flow

Conference presentations should distill key findings into a clear narrative supported by visuals, engaging the audience rather than replicating the written report.

What is a Data Management Plan (DMP) in research?

Answer: A formal document describing how research data will be collected, stored, secured, and shared

A DMP is a formal document describing how research data will be managed throughout a study's lifecycle, including collection, storage, security, and long-term sharing.

Under the Declaration of Helsinki, placebo-controlled trials are ethically permissible only when:

Answer: No proven effective intervention exists, or withholding it causes only minor reversible harm

The Declaration of Helsinki restricts placebo use to situations where no proven treatment exists or where methodological reasons for placebo are compelling and no serious harm results from withholding treatment.

When a measurement instrument consistently produces scores that are 5 points too high, this is an example of:

Answer: Systematic error (bias)

Systematic error introduces a consistent, directional offset in measurements, which affects validity but not necessarily reliability.

Phase I clinical trials primarily assess which of the following?

Answer: Safety, tolerability, and dosage

Phase I trials focus on evaluating the safety, tolerability, and appropriate dosing of a new intervention in a small group of participants.

Which of the following best defines data fabrication in scientific research?

Answer: Making up data, results, or findings and recording or reporting them as real

Data fabrication is the act of inventing or making up data, results, or findings that were never actually observed or collected.

What is the most effective way to measure success in quantitative research methods within CRS professional practice?

Answer: Use a combination of quantitative metrics, qualitative assessments, and stakeholder feedback aligned with defined objectives

Effective measurement combines multiple data sources — quantitative metrics, qualitative assessments, and stakeholder feedback — all aligned with clearly defined objectives for a comprehensive evaluation.

Which risk identification technique involves structured group brainstorming using anonymous input and successive rounds of voting to build consensus?

Answer: Delphi technique

The Delphi technique uses anonymous expert input across multiple rounds to identify and prioritize risks without groupthink bias.

The Hawthorne effect is a threat to internal validity because:

Answer: Participants behave differently simply because they know they are being observed

The Hawthorne effect occurs when participants alter their behavior in response to being observed, rather than due to the experimental treatment.

According to ICMJE guidelines, all of the following criteria must be met to qualify as an author EXCEPT:

Answer: Funding acquisition as the primary grant holder for the study

ICMJE authorship requires intellectual contribution, drafting/revision, final approval, and accountability — funding acquisition alone does not qualify someone for authorship.

Under HIPAA, a de-identified dataset is one from which:

Answer: All 18 specified identifiers have been removed

HIPAA defines de-identification as the removal of all 18 specified identifiers that could link health information back to an individual.

What is the significance of a 'Notice of Award' (NOA) in the federal grant process?

Answer: It is the official legal document that authorizes the grantee to begin work and expend funds

The NOA is the binding legal document from the federal agency that formally authorizes the award, specifies terms and conditions, and permits expenditure of funds.

Which element of research design specifies the conditions under which data will be collected and how variables will be controlled?

Answer: Procedural protocol

The procedural protocol outlines the standardized conditions and steps for data collection, ensuring consistency and control.

Pre-registration of a study (e.g., on ClinicalTrials.gov or the OSF) primarily serves to:

Answer: Publicly document hypotheses, methods, and outcomes before data collection to prevent post-hoc manipulation

Pre-registration creates a timestamped public record of planned hypotheses and analyses, making it possible to distinguish confirmatory from exploratory findings and deter p-hacking.

A researcher receives a report that a participant experienced an unexpected serious adverse event possibly related to the study drug. Within what timeframe must this typically be reported to the IRB?

Answer: Within 7 calendar days

Serious unexpected adverse events that may be related to the research are typically required to be reported to the IRB within 5–7 calendar days per institutional policy.