With fast development and wide applications of next generation sequencing (NGS), genomic sequence information is within reach to various research fields. Three benchtop NGS instruments are now available. The 454 GS Junior (Roche), Ion PGM (Life Technologies) and MiSeq (Illumina) are laser-printer sized and offer modest set-up and running costs. By reviewing 2 studies that compared the performance of these instruments, the major characteristics of each benchtop platforms are compared to enable direct comparisons. The 454 GS Junior generated the longest reads and most contiguous assemblies but had the lowest throughput. The Ion Torrent PGM had the highest throughput and fastest run time. The MiSeq had the highest throughput per run and lowest error rates. The Ion Torrent PGM and 454 GS Junior both produced homopolymer-associated indel errors. Although all the platforms allow multiplexing of samples, details of experimental design, library preparation and data analysis may constrain the options. The features of the platforms provide opportunities both to conduct groundbreaking studies and to waste money. Thus, careful considerations should be made before purchasing or using any of them.
Research Design ; Running ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to test the reliability of the clinical performance examination (CPX) using Generalizability theory (G-theory). Through G-theory, the effects of not only students and tasks but also the school will be analyzed as primary sources of error, which can affect the interpretation of the reliability of the CPX. METHODS: One thousand three hundred nineteen students from 16 medical schools that participated in the Seoul-Gyeonggi CPX Consortium 2008 were enrolled. In our research design, we suppose that student is nested within school and crossed with task. Data analysis was conducted with urGenova. RESULTS: According to our analysis, the percentage of error variance was 6.2% for school, 14.9% for student nested within school, 14.4% for task, and 3% for interaction between school and task. An effect of school on students was observed, but the interaction between task and school was insignificant. When student is nested within school, the universe score decreased and the g-coefficient was less than the g-coefficient of the p x t (p: studentm, t: task) design. CONCLUSION: The results show that generalizability theory is useful in detecting various error components in the CPX. Using the generalizability theory to improve the technical quality of performance assessments provides us with greater information compared with traditional test theories.
Humans ; Research Design ; Schools, Medical ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify research trends in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration from 2013 to 2015. METHODS: For this study, 171 articles were analyzed. Research designs, participants, research settings, sampling, and data analyses methods were reviewed using established analysis criteria. Keyword centrality and clusters were generated by keyword network analysis. RESULTS: Most of studies used quantitative methods (82.5%), and sampling mainly focused on nurses (68.8%). The most commonly used data analyses methods were t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression. The most central keywords were turnover and empowerment. Network analysis generated four network groups: 1) burnout; 2) turnover; 3) happiness; and 4) nursing professionalism. CONCLUSION: The results of this study identify current trends and interests in Korean nursing administration research. The findings from this study suggest that future studies include a variety of research methods and maintain appropriate research ethics.
Ethics, Research ; Happiness ; Nursing Administration Research ; Nursing Research ; Nursing* ; Power (Psychology) ; Professionalism ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic

Confounding effect is a critical issue in clinical research of otolaryngology because it can distort the research's conclusion. In this review, we introduce the definition of confounding effect, the methods of verifying and controlling the effect. Confounding effect can be prevented by research's design, and adjusted by data analysis. Clinicians would be aware and cautious about confounding effect in their research. They would be able to set up a research's design in which appropriate methods have been applied to prevent this effect.They would know how to adjust confounding effect after data collection. It is important to remember that sometimes it is impossible to eliminate confounding effect completely, and statistical method is not a master key. Solid research knowledge and critical thinking of our brain are the most important in controlling confounding effect.
Bias ; Humans ; Otolaryngology ; Regression Analysis ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the research design and the use of statistical methods in Chinese Journal of Cardiology.

METHODPeer through the research design and statistical methods in all of the original papers in Chinese Journal of Cardiology from December 2007 to November 2008.

RESULTThe most frequently used research designs are cross-sectional design (34%), prospective design (21%) and experimental design (25%). In all of the articles, 49 (25%) use wrong statistical methods, 29 (15%) lack some sort of statistic analysis, 23 (12%) have inconsistencies in description of methods. There are significant differences between different statistical methods (P < 0.001). The correction rates of multifactor analysis were low and repeated measurement datas were not used repeated measurement analysis.

CONCLUSIONMany problems exist in Chinese Journal of Cardiology. Better research design and correct use of statistical methods are still needed. More strict review by statistician and epidemiologist is also required to improve the literature qualities.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting suicidal ideation in elders who lived in their own home. METHODS: A correlative research design was used. Survey was conducted in Jeonbuk province in Korea. Data were collected from July 1 to 30, 2013. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions with SPSS 18.0 program were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The major findings are summarized as follows: (1) Meaning in life had a positive relation to gratitude and a negative relation to depression and suicidal ideation. Gratitude had a negative relation to depression and suicidal ideation. Depression had a significantly positive relation to suicidal ideation. (2) The significant factors affecting suicidal ideation were depression, residential area, subjective economic level, and subjective health status which together explained 36% of the variance. The results indicate that depression was a significant factor associated with suicidal ideation among elders. CONCLUSION: In order to decrease suicidal ideation among elders, active intervention for depression is needed. Nurses should consider individual conditions of the client - residential area, subjective economic level, and subjective health status. Also nurses should consider mental, as well as physical health when caring for elders.
Depression ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic ; Suicidal Ideation*

WHY: Calculating the sample size is essential to reduce the cost of a study and to prove the hypothesis effectively. HOW: Referring to pilot studies and previous research studies, we can choose a proper hypothesis and simplify the studies by using a website or Microsoft Excel sheet that contains formulas for calculating sample size in the beginning stage of the study. MORE: There are numerous formulas for calculating the sample size for complicated statistics and studies, but most studies can use basic calculating methods for sample size calculation.
Chi-Square Distribution ; *Research Design ; *Sample Size ; Statistics as Topic/*methods

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a local community based multi-factorial program for high-risk younger and older elderly people. METHODS: The quasi-experimental research design (pretest-post test) was employed. Participants were recruited in Seoul and a total of 98 elders completed an 8-week multi-factorial program for preventing frailty. Descriptive statistics, chi2-test and GLM were used in the data analysis with SPSS/WIN 15.0. RESULTS: The high-risk elderly people in the younger and older stages showed differences in IADL, TUG and BMI, and after being provided with the multi-factorial program for preventing frailty, some effects were shown on improving the total score of frailty, a physical function, TUG, BMI, depression, subjective feeling of health, and social interaction. CONCLUSION: The 8-week multi-factorial program for preventing frailty had positive effects on improving physical, emotional and social functions of the high-risk elderly people. It is necessary to evaluate the effects after individual intervention as well as group intervention and to evaluate the effects of the program by setting a control group in the future.
Aged ; Depression ; Frail Elderly ; Humans ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thera band exercise on muscle flexibility, balance ability, muscle strength and self-rated health in elderly women. METHODS: The quasi-experimental research design (one-group pretest-post test) was employed. Participants were recruited in S-city and a total of 14 elderly women completed 15-week thera band exercise. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and McNemar-test were used in data analysis by SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Compared with those before participation, the participants showed higher muscle flexibility, balance ability, and muscle strength after participation in thera band exercise. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study indicated that the 15-week thera band exercise program had a favorable effect on muscle flexibility, balance ability and muscle strength of elderly women. Future research needs to develop combined exercise programs with other types of exercise for the health of elderly women.
Aged* ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Strength* ; Pliability* ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thera band exercise on muscle flexibility, balance ability, muscle strength and self-rated health in elderly women. METHODS: The quasi-experimental research design (one-group pretest-post test) was employed. Participants were recruited in S-city and a total of 14 elderly women completed 15-week thera band exercise. Descriptive statistics, paired t-test and McNemar-test were used in data analysis by SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: Compared with those before participation, the participants showed higher muscle flexibility, balance ability, and muscle strength after participation in thera band exercise. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study indicated that the 15-week thera band exercise program had a favorable effect on muscle flexibility, balance ability and muscle strength of elderly women. Future research needs to develop combined exercise programs with other types of exercise for the health of elderly women.
Aged* ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Strength* ; Pliability* ; Research Design ; Statistics as Topic