quantitative research Flashcards
What is a systematic review?
A systematic review is a comprehensive, structured approach to summarising all relevant research on a specific clinical question, using rigorous methods to avoid bias.
What is a meta-analysis?
A meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to provide a more precise estimate of an intervention’s effect.
How does a systematic review differ from a traditional literature review?
A systematic review follows a predefined, transparent process for identifying, appraising, and synthesising research, while a traditional review is more subjective and less structured.
What are the key steps in conducting a systematic review?
The steps include formulating a research question, defining inclusion/exclusion criteria, conducting a systematic search, selecting studies, appraising the quality of studies, and synthesising the results.
What is publication bias?
Publication bias occurs when studies with positive or significant results are more likely to be published, leading to an overestimation of an intervention’s effectiveness in systematic reviews.
What is the role of inclusion and exclusion criteria in a systematic review?
Inclusion and exclusion criteria define which studies are relevant and eligible for the review, ensuring consistency and reducing bias in the selection of studies.
What is the purpose of critical appraisal in a systematic review?
Critical appraisal evaluates the methodological quality of the included studies, assessing their risk of bias and ensuring that only high-quality evidence contributes to the review.
What is the Cochrane Collaboration?
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organisation that produces systematic reviews of health care interventions, using rigorous standards to ensure high-quality, evidence-based information.
What is heterogeneity in meta-analysis?
Heterogeneity refers to the variability or differences in the study results, populations, interventions, and outcomes that can affect the overall findings of a meta-analysis.
What is the importance of statistical pooling in a meta-analysis?
Statistical pooling combines the results of multiple studies to provide a single estimate of the effect size, increasing the power and precision of the findings.
How do forest plots aid in the interpretation of meta-analyses?
Forest plots graphically represent the results of individual studies and the overall combined estimate in a meta-analysis, allowing readers to visually assess the strength and consistency of the evidence.
What is a fixed-effects model in meta-analysis?
A fixed-effects model assumes that all the included studies estimate the same effect size, and any variation between study results is due to chance.
What is a random-effects model in meta-analysis?
A random-effects model assumes that the true effect size may vary between studies due to differences in populations, interventions, and other factors.
Q: What are the limitations of systematic reviews and meta-analyses?
Limitations include the potential for bias in the selection of studies, publication bias, and the difficulty of combining studies with significant heterogeneity.
What is the importance of transparency in systematic reviews?
Transparency ensures that the methods used in a systematic review are clearly documented, allowing others to replicate the review and verify its findings.
