Navigating the Literature

Question 1

What is evidence-based practice?

Answer 1

recommendations based on scientific studies that document effectiveness

Question 2

Evidence Pyramid (increasing evidence strength)

Answer 2

Invitro “test tube” research>Animal Research> Ideas, opinions, editorials> case reports and series> cross sectional> case control> cohort> RCT (randomized controlled trial) > SR/MA (systematic review/meta-analysis)

Question 3

Systematic Review (SR)

Answer 3

comprehensive summary of high-quality studies examining a given topic

Question 4

Meta-Analysis (MA)

Answer 4

A type of systematic review where results from available high-quality studies are statistically combined to compute a net overall effect. There is a combined data analysis in this type of study

Question 5

Randomized Controlled Trial (RTC)

Answer 5

participants are randomly assigned to receive a given exposure and then followed to examine the effects of the exposure on outcomes
Double blind placebo controlled RTC
Single blind or open label
Cross-over design

Question 6

What is the gold standard for a research trial?

Answer 6

Double blind, placebo controlled RTC

Question 7

(3) Epidemiological Trials

Answer 7

Cohort and Case Control and Cross-Sectional

Question 8

Cohort Study

Answer 8

one or more population group (Called cohorts) are classified according to their level of exposure to a give agent/risk factor and followed over time to determine if this exposure is related to the occurrence of a disease or outcome of interest

Question 9

Case Control

Answer 9

Compares individuals who have a disease or outcome of interest (cases) w/ those who do not (controls). Researchers look retrospectively to evaluate how frequently exposure to a risk factor/agent is present in each group to identify the relationship between the risk factor and the disease or outcome of interest

Question 10

Cross-sectional

Answer 10

observes the relationship between a characteristic/risk factor (the exposure) and the prevalence of the disease or outcome of interest in a specific population at a single point of time
AKA observational study
EX: NHANES

Question 11

Case Series

Answer 11

Summary of a small group of individuals experience with a similar disease or outcome of interest

Question 12

case reports

Answer 12

summary of one individual’s experience with a disease or outcome of interest

Question 13

ideas, editorials, opinions

Answer 13

put forth by experts in the field often in the from of a review

Question 14

Animal research studies

Answer 14

studies conducted using animals as subjects

Question 15

In Vitro Studies

Answer 15

studies isolated cells “test tube research”