APA Databases Methodology Field Values

VALUE DEFINITION
Brain Imaging The use of imaging tools such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed
Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography or Functional Magnetic Resonance
Imaging to study brain anatomy and its involvement in neurological and cognitive
functions.
Clinical Case Study Case reports that include disorder, diagnosis, and clinical treatment for individuals with
mental or medical illnesses.
Clinical Trial Work consisting of a clinical trial that involves at least one test treatment and one control
treatment to study the safety and/or efficacy of new diagnostic, therapeutic, or
pharmacology protocols. Participants are assigned by chance to separate groups that
compare different treatment; neither the researchers nor the participants can choose
which group. Used for human populations only.
Empirical Study Study based on facts, systematic observation, or experiment, rather than theory or
general philosophical principle.
Experimental Replication Replication of the methods or results of a previous study, as indicated by the author.
Studies that include extensions to original research are not considered replications.
Follow-up Study Empirical study which re-examines studies of individuals or groups, comparing the
present findings with the original observations or measurements in a previously
conducted study.
Longitudinal Study A study that follows the same individuals or groups of subjects over an extended period
of time.
Prospective Study Study that analyzes forward over time a condition or characteristic shared by members
of a group or cohort.
Retrospective Study Research that examines past experiences or events to study causative factors related to
disease or behavior when the outcome is already known.
Field Study Research undertaken outside the laboratory or place of learning ("in the field"), usually in
a natural environment using naturalistic observation techniques.
Interview A goal-directed conversation with the objective of obtaining information from an
individual.
Focus Group Qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their opinions,
perceptions, or experiences on issues, products, or services.
Literature Review Survey of previously published literature on a particular topic to define and clarify a
particular problem; summarize previous investigations; identify relations, contradictions,
gaps, and inconsistencies in the literature; and suggest the next step in solving the
problem.
Systematic Review A form of literature review that comprehensively identifies, appraises, and synthesizes all
relevant research on a specifically formulated question.
Mathematical Model A mathematical structure, formula, or equation that can be used to describe and study a
real situation. This type of methodology is commonly found in, but not limited to, studies
of epidemiology, neural networks, artificial intelligence, robotics, human factors, utility
theory, and statistics.
Meta Analysis Statistical analysis of previously published empirical data.
Metasynthesis Interpretive integration of primary qualitative research.
 Non-clinical Case Study Document consisting of non-clinical or organizational case examples of the concepts
being researched or studied. The setting is always non-clinical and does not include
treatment-related environments.
Qualitative Study A type of research methodology that produces descriptive data, with little emphasis
given to numerical quantitative measures.
Quantitative Study Study that provides numerical representation of observations for the purpose of
describing and explaining the phenomenon studied followed by the application of various
descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Scientific Simulation Research technique that reproduces events and/or processes for the purpose of testing
or experimentation in any discipline. Use only when the document clearly states that it is
a Scientific Simulation.
Treatment Outcome Empirical evaluations undertaken to assess the results or consequences of treatment
and procedures used in combating disease in order to determine the efficacy,
effectiveness, safety, and practicability of these interventions.
Twin Study Compares the etiology of genetic and environmental traits of identical and fraternal twins

Updated August 2016