Module 2: 4 Systematic Review/Meta-Analysis

Question 0

Designed simply to describe certain characteristics of a problem. Cause and effect relationship is not being answered by this design. Used to generate hypothesis that can serve as a topic for future research. Answer the question: who, what, when & where.

Answer 0

Descriptive studies

Question 1

Detailed descriptions of one or more cases of a disease that is unusual for some reason. Provide little evidence of causality and cannot say much about patterns of disease occurrence.

Answer 1

Case report & Case series

Question 2

Prevalence surveys. Done at one point in time. No attempt to establish a temporal relationship between the cause and effect. Ex: prevalence of diff. diseases in population. Sex distribution among hemophiliacs.

Answer 2

Cross sectional (descriptive)

Question 3

Secondary study design. Integrates the result of several studies kn a similar topic (population enrolled, intervention used, and outcome measured) Detailed and comprehensive plan and search strategy derived a _________.

Answer 3

Systematic review. Priori.

Question 4

Statistical technique. Synthesize the data from several studies into a single quantitative estimate or summary effect size.

Answer 4

Meta-Analysis

Question 5

Stages of Systematic Review: 1. ________ the review question.

Answer 5

Formulate

Question 6

Stages of Systematic Review: 2. Develop _________, _______ & _____ studies.

Answer 6

Search strategy. Locate & select.

Question 7

Stages of Systematic Review: 3. _________ quality of studies.

Answer 7

Assess

Question 8

Stages of Systematic Review: 4. _______ data.

Answer 8

Extract

Question 9

Stages of Systematic Review: 5. ________ & _______ results.

Answer 9

Analyze & Interpret

Question 10

Stages of Systematic Review: 6. _________ results.

Answer 10

Disseminate

Question 11

Define inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies. Key terms to be used for searching. Electronic search, hand search & search for unpublished. Retrieve full text of articles.

Answer 11

2. Develop search strategy, locate and select studies

Question 12

Done by at least two reviewers. Critical appraisal of each study for potential inclusion. May use available checklists/scales. Qualitative description of quality.

Answer 12

3. Assess quality of studies

Question 13

Done again by at least two reviewers. Study title and authors. Publication year. Study design. Number of participants. Outcomes prepared.

Answer 13

4. Extract data

Question 14

Description of findings. Use of forest plots (meta-analysis) to combine results of several studies.

Answer 14

5. Analyze and interpret results

Question 15

Update results as necessary

Answer 15

6. Disseminate results