Ch 18 Flashcards
A ___ integrates research evidence about a specific research question using careful sampling and data collection procedures that are spelled out in advance.
A systematic review integrates research evidence about a specific research question using careful sampling and data collection procedures that are spelled out in advance.
The___ is the most known place systematic reviews can be found.
The Cochrane Collaboration is the most known place systematic reviews can be found.
Systematic review with meta-analysis = ?
Qual or quant
Systematic review with meta-analysis = quantitative
Metasynthesis = ?
qual or quant
Metasynthesis = qualitative
A ___ uses the findings from each study in a systematic review to calculate an effect size. The effect size is used to …
meta-analysis
determine the relationship between variables across multiple studies.
advantages of meta-analysis
Meta-analysis has several advantages.
The findings are objective and supported by statistics.
The power or ability to detect a true relationship is increased. Even if a meta-analysis has some studies that have conflicting results it can still support a real relationship between two variables.
When is a meta-analysis appropriate?
The research question for each study described needs to be near-identical
There need to be enough strong studies to merit its use
When is a meta-analysis NOT appropriate?
If strong studies of the same type provide conflicting evidence, then a meta-analysis is not appropriate
The question for a meta-analysis should be ___ or ___.
The question for a meta-analysis should be narrow or focused.
design for meta-analysis
The design should sample primary studies that address the narrowed or focused research question. The design should clearly state what studies will be allowed or excluded
____ is a factor assessed to determine if a meta-analysis is appropriate
Statistical heterogeneity is a factor assessed to determine if a meta-analysis is appropriate. In other words, are the results conflicting between different studies on the same research question?
In the literature search there is a risk for ___.
In the literature search there is a risk for publication bias.
Publication bias is the tendency for published studies to …
systematically overrepresent statistically significant findings.
Gray literature refers to …
Gray literature refers to studies that have not been published or were rejected by publishers.
Publishers tend to reject articles that do not have
significant results.
Quality assessments can ___ but need to be done by ___
Quality assessments can vary in approach but need to be done by multiple researchers to agree on all ratings of quality.
Each study needs certain data recorded:
Date, location, sample size, if randomization was used, if blinding was used, attrition, the length of follow-up, participant characteristics, and provide enough information to either calculate effect size or to calculate it from the data
The effect size is a measure of
how effective the independent variable is in causing an outcome.
Cohen’s d is used for
quantitative studies with numerical scale type results.
Odd’s ratio or Relative Risk is used for studies where
the outcomes are dichotomies.
Pearson’s r is used for
nonexperimental studies.
Once effect sizes are calculated, the results can be presented on a ___ to see the effects for each study. A ___ can determine if a meta-analysis is appropriate to use based on the calculated effect sizes.
Once effect sizes are calculated, the results can be presented on a forest plot to see the effects for each study. A forest plot can determine if a meta-analysis is appropriate to use based on the calculated effect sizes.
A metasynthesis collects data from
multiple qualitative studies and analyzes themes. It is not a literature review.
The research question for a metasynthesis is …
The research question for a metasynthesis is focused to a degree but not as focused as you would see with a meta-analysis.
Data metasyntheses record from each article include::
year, sample, methodology, key themes, metaphors, or categories.
Data analysis in a ___ is less defined than in a ___.
Data analysis in a metasynthesis is less defined than in a meta-analysis.
What component is used in types of systematic reviews to measure the impact of the independent variable? A) Sample B) Research Design C) Effect Size D) Outcome
Answer: C, Effect size
The effect size is calculated to determine how effective the independent variable is in leading to outcomes in each study. The other methods are compared but are not uniform across all studies.
When would it not be appropriate to use a meta-analysis?
A) multiple studies have a similar research question
B) good quality studies with conflicting results
C) mostly primary research studies related to the phenomenon
D) Cohen’s d can be easily calculated
The question wants to know when a meta-analysis would not be appropriate to use.
Answer: B, good quality studies with conflicting results.
A meta-analysis should be used when you have multiple primary research studies with near-identical research questions that have an effect size. It is acceptable for studies with nonsignificant results to conflict, but if the studies are of good quality with conflicting results then another approach should be considered.
When would it not be appropriate to use a meta-analysis?
A) multiple studies have a similar research question
B) good quality studies with conflicting results
C) mostly primary research studies related to the phenomenon
D) Cohen’s d can be easily calculated
The question wants to know when a meta-analysis would not be appropriate to use.
Answer: B, good quality studies with conflicting results.
A meta-analysis should be used when you have multiple primary research studies with near-identical research questions that have an effect size. It is acceptable for studies with nonsignificant results to conflict, but if the studies are of good quality with conflicting results then another approach should be considered.
What is a risk that can occur in a meta-analysis if the study excludes articles are that are not peer-reviewed? A) Intrinsic bias B) Reduced validity C) Publication bias D) Reduced reliability
The question seeks to determine what is a risk in excluding non peer-reviewed journals in a meta-analysis.
Answer: C, publication bias
Publication bias is the tendency for published studies to systematically overrepresent statistically significant findings. Studies that have results that are not statistically significant may not be published.
What technique is used to display the effect sizes of multiple studies to assess if it is appropriate to do a meta-analysis? A) Forest plot B) Cohen’s d C) Odd’s Ratio D) Pearson’s r
The question asks what technique is used to display effect sizes of multiple studies to assess if it is appropriate to do a meta-analysis.
Answer: A, forest plot.
A forest plot displays the results of multiple studies on a graph. The other methods are used to calculate effect size.
What is different about the research design for a metasynthesis versus a meta-analysis?
A) focus on primary research studies
B) researchers same as those of studies included
C) calculate effect size for data analysis
D) begin with a focused research question
The question asks for a difference in the research design for a metasynthesis versus a meta-analysis.
Answer: B, researchers same as those of studies included.
In a metasynthesis the researchers of the studies are often the same as those that conduct the metasynthesis. In a meta-analysis the researchers do not include studies they were involved with for objectivity. Both types focus on primary research studies, calculate effect size, and begin with a focused research question.