Ch 18

Question 1

A ___ integrates research evidence about a specific research question using careful sampling and data collection procedures that are spelled out in advance.

Answer 1

A systematic review integrates research evidence about a specific research question using careful sampling and data collection procedures that are spelled out in advance.

Question 2

The___ is the most known place systematic reviews can be found.

Answer 2

The Cochrane Collaboration is the most known place systematic reviews can be found.

Question 3

Systematic review with meta-analysis = ?

Qual or quant

Answer 3

Systematic review with meta-analysis = quantitative

Question 4

Metasynthesis = ?

qual or quant

Answer 4

Metasynthesis = qualitative

Question 5

A ___ uses the findings from each study in a systematic review to calculate an effect size. The effect size is used to …

Answer 5

meta-analysis

determine the relationship between variables across multiple studies.

Question 6

advantages of meta-analysis

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

When is a meta-analysis appropriate?

Answer 7

The research question for each study described needs to be near-identical
There need to be enough strong studies to merit its use

Question 8

When is a meta-analysis NOT appropriate?

Answer 8

If strong studies of the same type provide conflicting evidence, then a meta-analysis is not appropriate

Question 9

The question for a meta-analysis should be ___ or ___.

Answer 9

The question for a meta-analysis should be narrow or focused.

Question 10

design for meta-analysis

Answer 10

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

Question 11

____ is a factor assessed to determine if a meta-analysis is appropriate

Answer 11

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?

Question 12

In the literature search there is a risk for ___.

Answer 12

In the literature search there is a risk for publication bias.

Question 13

Publication bias is the tendency for published studies to …

Answer 13

systematically overrepresent statistically significant findings.

Question 14

Gray literature refers to …

Answer 14

Gray literature refers to studies that have not been published or were rejected by publishers.

Question 15

Publishers tend to reject articles that do not have

Answer 15

significant results.

Question 16

Quality assessments can ___ but need to be done by ___

Answer 16

Quality assessments can vary in approach but need to be done by multiple researchers to agree on all ratings of quality.

Question 17

Each study needs certain data recorded:

Answer 17

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

Question 18

The effect size is a measure of

Answer 18

how effective the independent variable is in causing an outcome.

Question 19

Cohen’s d is used for

Answer 19

quantitative studies with numerical scale type results.

Question 20

Odd’s ratio or Relative Risk is used for studies where

Answer 20

the outcomes are dichotomies.

Question 21

Pearson’s r is used for

Answer 21

nonexperimental studies.

Question 22

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.

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

A metasynthesis collects data from

Answer 23

multiple qualitative studies and analyzes themes. It is not a literature review.

Question 24

The research question for a metasynthesis is …

Answer 24

The research question for a metasynthesis is focused to a degree but not as focused as you would see with a meta-analysis.

Question 25

Data metasyntheses record from each article include::

Answer 25

year, sample, methodology, key themes, metaphors, or categories.

Question 26

Data analysis in a ___ is less defined than in a ___.

Answer 26

Data analysis in a metasynthesis is less defined than in a meta-analysis.

Question 27

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 27

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.

Question 28

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

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

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

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

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

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

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

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

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

Answer 32

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.