Interpretating Quantitative Findings and Evaluating Clinical Signficance Flashcards
DO stat results of a study allow for use in the real world?
No the stat results of a study in and of itself do not convey much meaning but the statistical results must be interpreted to be of use to the clinician and other researchers for us int eh real world
What are the 6 important considerations when itnerpreting statistical results
Credibility
Precision
Magnitude
Meaning
Generalizability
Implications
6 Considerations: Credibility
the credibility and accuracy of the results
6 Considerations: Precision
Precision of the estimate of effects
6 Considerations: Magnitude
magnitude of the effects and improtance of the results
6 Considerations: Generalizability
generalizability of the results t the greater population
6 Considerations: Implications
implications of the results for practice, theory, or further research
Interpreting research involves making a …
a series of inferences
Inference
involves drawing conclusions based on limited information, using logical reasoning
What do we infer from study results
“truths in the real world”
Statistical findings are what in regard to the true state of affairs in the real world
stand ins/ proxies
Through inference, study results…
are inferred to be truths in the real world
EBP involves doing what to research evidence when making clinical decisions
integrating the evidence with your decision making
Approach the task of interpretation with what kind of mindset
a critical - and even skeptical one
The onus of the responsibility for providing strong evidence that is credible is on who
the researcher - they should acknolwedge limitations adn discuss good choices
they should be the ones stating and showing that the null hypothesis has no merit
Credibility of quantitative results relies on what
validity
biases
corroboration
proxies and the interpretation
Every part of a study acts as…
a proxy for a real life situation / a representation of reality
Steps of using a sample as a proxy for the real world
Population Construct –Delineationg–> Target population –ID–> Accessible Population –Selection–> Recruited sample–refusal/attrition –> Actual sample
From all of this we infer
What happens as we go from population construct of interest toward our actual sample in regard to inferring from research results
Each step reduces the possibility the same we end up with is truly representative but we want the best possible methods for true inference of population in question
CONSORT
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials
Reporting guidelines that have been developed so readers can better evaluate methodological decisions and outcomes
Includes a flowchart for documenting participant flow in a study - is included as a table in most studies nowadays
CONSORT Table
Shows the flow of participants throughout a study
Will show who met inclusion requirements and then who was excluded and then who was left for enrollment into the groups
Randomize into groups and then follow the flow - look who left/attrition and can get attrition rates and see who was not participating in the research
How are credibility and validity related
They link with inference
so it is linked to the amount you can actually infer from the results about the real world
Includes: external, internal, construct, and statistical conclusion validity
Statistical Conclusion Validity
Power
Has to do with the methods and such like sample size and sampling
Construct Validity
how accurately are you measuring the construct of interest
is it an accurate proxy for the thing you want to measure - like BP and stress