Tasha, The phrase that occurs to me is "archival research" which isn't a particular design, but more a class of research (along the same lines as talking about "exploratory" research without mentioning a specific designor technique).
Michael **************************************************** Michael Granaas [EMAIL PROTECTED] Assoc. Prof. Phone: 605 677 5295 Dept. of Psychology FAX: 605 677 3195 University of South Dakota 414 E. Clark St. Vermillion, SD 57069 ***************************************************** ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (TBurwinkle) Date: Friday, October 24, 2003 1:12 am Subject: [edstat] selecting an accurate research design term > Hello fellow posters, > > I have come across a dilemma with little consensus amongst colleagues. > So, I am throwing this issue out there for all of you, in hopes that > you might shed some light on the subject. > > I am doing a study where I am using a previously existing database in > which patients were assessed with a quality of life measure at > different time points (e.g., longitudinally). The study was originally > exploratory.. there were no variables that were controlled for... > just.. giving patients a questionnaire each time they presented to a > clinic. > > In reviewing various definitions of research designs, the one that > seems to "fit" most closely is that of a "case control" design.. but > as I mentioned, there were no variables that were controlled for. So > this definition seems grossly inadequate. Obviously it is a > retrospective design... but is there some kind of "official" term that > might be used for this type of study? > > I would be grateful for any feedback. > Sincerely, > Tasha B. > . > . > ================================================================= > Instructions for joining and leaving this list, remarks about the > problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES, and archives are available at: > . http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ . > ================================================================= > . . ================================================================= Instructions for joining and leaving this list, remarks about the problem of INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES, and archives are available at: . http://jse.stat.ncsu.edu/ . =================================================================
