Scientific Thinking The study described in Module 8.10 was purely observational; there were no controlled groups. Imagine that you are an oncologist. Design a hypothesis-driven study to determine whether mastectomy improves breast cancer survival over lumpectomy. What are your control groups? Would such a study be ethical to undertake? Why or why not?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Define the hypothesis: Formulate a clear hypothesis for the study. For example, 'Patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer have a higher 5-year survival rate compared to those undergoing lumpectomy.'
2. Design the study: Plan a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where patients are randomly assigned to either the mastectomy group or the lumpectomy group. This helps to minimize bias and allows for a direct comparison between the two surgical interventions.
3. Identify control and experimental groups: The control group would be the patients undergoing lumpectomy, which is the less invasive procedure and often considered as a standard treatment. The experimental group would be the patients undergoing mastectomy.
4. Consider ethical implications: Evaluate the ethical considerations of conducting such a study. Since both procedures are standard treatments, the study could be considered ethical. However, full disclosure and informed consent must be obtained from all participants, ensuring they are aware of their treatment options and potential risks.
5. Plan for data collection and analysis: Outline how data will be collected, including survival rates, quality of life assessments, and any complications. Specify the statistical methods that will be used to analyze the data to determine if there is a significant difference in survival rates between the two groups.

Key Concepts

Hypothesis-Driven Research

Hypothesis-driven research involves formulating a testable statement based on observations that can be supported or refuted through experimentation. In the context of comparing mastectomy and lumpectomy, a clear hypothesis might state that mastectomy leads to better survival rates than lumpectomy. This approach allows researchers to systematically investigate the effects of different treatments on patient outcomes.

Control Groups

Control groups are essential in experimental design as they provide a baseline for comparison against the treatment group. In this study, one group could receive mastectomy while the other receives lumpectomy, ensuring that both groups are similar in characteristics such as age and cancer stage. This helps isolate the effect of the surgical procedure on survival rates, minimizing confounding variables.

Ethical Considerations in Research

Ethical considerations in research involve ensuring the safety and well-being of participants, as well as obtaining informed consent. In the case of comparing mastectomy and lumpectomy, ethical concerns arise regarding the potential harm to patients assigned to a treatment that may not be in their best interest. Researchers must weigh the scientific value of the study against the risks posed to participants, ensuring that the study adheres to ethical guidelines.