EBCP

Question 1

Method used to synthesize evidence across multiple sources without selection bias

Answer 1

Systemic review

Question 2

Summary of evidence found in daily news, intended to draw attention to research but not evaluate validity

Answer 2

Journalistic review

Question 3

Evidence summarized by expert with perspective

Answer 3

Expert review

Question 4

Statistical technique used to combine data from homogenous studies into 1 large study

Answer 4

Meta-analysis

Question 5

T/F: Meta-analysis MUST be part of a cohort studies.

Answer 5

False. MUST be part of systematic reviews

Question 6

Put the steps of performing systemic reviews in order:

1. conduct a literature search
2. define a question
3. appraise studies
4. apply study inclusion criteria to choose studies to include in review

Answer 6

2, 1, 4, 3

Question 7

Pair the correct letter to the correct number
A. Using multiple people to conduct literature search
B. Application of study inclusion criteria performed by >1 person
C. Grey literature

1. reduces publication bias
2. reduces selection bias

Answer 7

A - 2
B - 2
C - 1

Question 8

Type(s) of studies to answer an intervention question

Answer 8

RCT is best

Cohort can be used

Question 9

Type(s) of studies to answer an prognosis/etiology question

Answer 9

Prospective cohort is best 
Can include:
Retrospective cohort
Case control
Cross section

Question 10

Which of the following does NOT impact the credibility of the review methodology?
A. Number of reviewers
B. Standardization of data collection
C. Type of study design
D. Blinding of articles

Answer 10

C. Impacts QUALITY of the evidence base

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT impact the quality of the evidence base?
A. Type of study design
B. Risk of bias
C. Precision of results 
D. Consistency of result
E. Internal validity

Answer 11

E. External validity (generalizable to your patient?)

Question 12

T/F: Poor quality of body of evidence on a topic means that the systematic review is not valid.

Answer 12

False. Systematic review may still be valid w/ poor body of evidence

Question 13

T/F: Quantitative synthesis is valid when studies are methodologically similar, studies are not statistically homogeneous, and there’s no evidence of publication bias

Answer 13

False. Studies are not statistically heterogenous

Question 14

T/F: If the diamond on a forest plot does not cross OR = 1, result is statistically insignificant

Answer 14

False. Is statistically significant

Question 15

T/F: I(squared) = 0% means no heterogeneity

Answer 15

True. Greater numbers means heterogeneity

Question 16

T/F: Large Q value indicate heterogeneity.

Answer 16

False. Small Q value (close to 0) indicate heterogeneity (0 less than Q less than 1)

Question 17

T/F: Smaller studies are expected to be more precise. Therefore, the “funnel” starts wide and becomes more narrow as studies (and precision) increase.

Answer 17

False. Smaller studies are expected to be less precise.

Question 18

Method used to detect publication bias

Answer 18

Funnel plots