Quality not Quantity

Question 1

What are 95% confidence intervals?

Answer 1

A range within which we can be 95% certain that the true effect lies
OR
The uncertainty of the point estimate (indicates the magnitude of the effect of the experimental intervention compared to the control intervention

The narrower, the higher the level of confidence in the results

Question 2

What is the point estimate?

Answer 2

Indicates the magnitude of the effect of the experimental intervention compared to the control intervention

Question 3

What is a meta-analysis?

Answer 3

When results of the individual studies are combined to produce an overall statistic
- aims to provide a more precise estimate of the effects of intervention and to reduce uncertainty

Question 4

What is a systematic review?

Answer 4

Attempts to identify, appraise and synthesise all the empirical evidence that meets pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a given research question

Avoidance and/or minimisation of BIAS

Question 5

What is evidence based medicine and what are its three principles?

Answer 5

Use the best evidence in the scientific literature to provide the best care for an individual patient

• Objective and clinically relevant information
• Hierarchy of evidence - some types are stronger than others
• Scientific data alone is not sufficient basis for making clinical decisions