Introduction Flashcards
A systematic review is a review of all _____ _____ that fits pre-specified ______ ______ in order to answer a specific research question. It uses explicit, ______ methods that are selected with a view to minimizing _____ , thus providing _____ findings from which ______ can be drawn and ______ made.
- empirical evidence
- eligibility criteria
- systematic
- bias
- reliable
- conclusions
- decisions
A systemic review is a systematic search that attempts to identify ___ studies that would meet _____ _____.
all
eligibility criteria
Systematic reviews seek to increase or decrease bias?
Decrease
Is a systematic review an assessment of the validity or the quantity of the findings of the included studies?
validity
Do systematic reviews provide reliable or unreliable findings?
Reliable
What can be drawn and made by the use of systematic reviews?
conclusions
decisions
Name four search databases.
Medline
Cochrane Central Register
Embase
Index Medicus
A meta-analysis is the use of ______ ______ to combine the results of included studies.
statistical techniques
A meta-analysis is more or less precise than individual studies?
More
Does a meta-analysis combine or separate information from individual studies to give a single value?
combines
Can a systematic review be done without a meta-analysis?
Yes
True or False:
A systematic review includes some studies on the topic and performs a meta-analysis.
False. It includes all studies on the topic.
Put the following in order of hierarchy of evidence:
Case Reports and Case Series
Observational Studies
Systematic Reviews
Expert Opinion
Randomized Control Trials
Systematic Reviews
Randomized Control Trials
Observational Studies
Case Reports and Case Series
Expert Opinion
Systematic reviews can _____ and _____ studies so that results can be incorporated into ________ practice.
appraise
interpret
healthcare
Do systematic reviews increase or decrease the chance of false positives and false negatives?
Decrease
Systematic reviews provide a _______ view on the topic.
balanced
What are the two forms of presenting systematic reviews?
- meta-analysis
- narrative
Do narrative systematic reviews present the results of each study combined or separately?
Separately
True or False:
Narrative systematic reviews present the results of the studies in a statistical data set.
False: The results are presented in the form of text or by tabulating the results of the individual studies.
Narrative systematic reviews always, sometimes, or never involve meta-analysis.
Never
What are the two types of systematic reviews?
Qualitative
Quantitative
Is an observational study a qualitative systematic review?
No, it is quantitative.
Name the two types of qualitative systematic reviews.
- Qualitative
- Explanatory
Name 3 advantages of high-quality systematic reviews.
- Includes all studies on the topic
- Decreases the risk of random errors (false positives and false negatives)
- Provides a balanced view on the topic
What are the 5 steps in a systematic review?
- *Focus**: Determine the focus
- *Methods**: Identify suitable methods
- *Data**: Extract the data
- *Analysis**: Analyze Results
- *Interpretation**: Interpret the results
In the following 5 steps of systematic reviews, where does the meta-analysis happen?
- *Focus**: Determine the focus (research question)
- *Methods**: Identify suitable methods
- *Data**: Extract the data
- *Analysis**: Analyze Results
- *Interpretation**: Interpret the results
In the analysis of the results
Framework for systematic reviews:
Name 6 sections in the structuring of systematic reviews.
- Background
- Objectives
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
What is the name of the checklist one can use to write a systematic review?
PRISMA
What does PRISMA stand for?
- *P**referred
- *R**eporting
- *I**tems for
- *S**ystematic Reviews and
- *Meta-A**nalysis
What are 5 common variables in systematic reviews?
- Intervention
- Control
- Comparison
- Health problem
- Outcome
What is the difference between meta-analysis and narrative systematic reviews?
A narrative review presents the results of each study separately and a meta-analysis combines the data from different studies quantitatively.
Is the following an example of quantitative or qualitative systematic reviews?
Parental beliefs on vaccinations
Qualitative. Beliefs and attitudes of the participants or people studied.
Which example is quantitative and which is qualitative?
- Parental attitudes towards childhood vaccinations.
- The proportion of people who took aspirin and developed an MI and those who did not?
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
Are systematic reviews useful in answering questions about the effectiveness of different treatments?
Yes
Is the analysis of results done in a narrative systematic review?
No. It is done in systematic reviews with meta-analysis.
Meta-analysis is a term coined by Glass in 1976.
By _____ information from all relevant studies, meta-analysis can provide more _____ estimates on the effects of ______ _____ than those derived from the individual studies included within a review.
- combining
- precise
- health care
True or False:
A meta-analysis can only be performed if a systematic review is undertaken.
False. A meta-analysis can be performed without undertaking a systematic review. However, this is inappropriate and can result in wrong conclusions. So, a meta-analysis should be performed after a systematic review.
The variable “comparison” denotes _____ versus _____.
Give a few examples.
- intervention
- control
- local anesthesia vs. no anesthesia, enteral vs. parenteral nutrition, Clopidogrel (Plavix) vs. aspirin
The variable “control” denotes the _____ _____ to which the _____ _____ is being compared.
- old treatment
- new treatment
Define the variable “intervention” and give some examples.
A new treatment that is being assessed and is aimed at prevention or treatment. It could be pharmacological, surgical, educational, nutritional, physiotherapy intervention, or other, such as vaccination.
Define the variable “outcome”.
It is the measure of interest or end-point of the study used to assess the intervention in comparison with control.
Examples: death, wound infection, hospital stay, lab test
A health problem denotes ______ or _____ _____.
disease
health condition
