Question 1

Which of the following choices correctly matches the research study designs with the corresponding Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) level of evidence?
A) Randomized trial (Level I), nonrandomized controlled cohort study (Level II), systematic review (Level III)
B) Between-subjects design (Level I), randomized trial (Level II), meta-analysis (Level III)
C) Meta-analysis (Level I), randomized trial (Level II), nonrandomized controlled cohort study (Level III)
D) Systematic review (Level I), between-subjects design (Level II), randomized trial (Level III)

Accepted Answer

Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are considered the highest level of evidence (Level I) according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, followed by randomized controlled trials (Level II), and then nonrandomized controlled cohort studies (Level III).

Question 2

The Cochrane levels-of-evidence model utilizes multiple criteria in its appraisal methodology. Which of the following criteria is not used by this model?
A) Relevance of the evidence
B) Significance of the statistical findings
C) Size of the effect
D) Strength of the evidence

Accepted Answer

The Cochrane levels-of-evidence model does not specifically use the "Significance of the statistical findings" as a criterion; it focuses on relevance, size of effect, and strength of evidence.

Question 3

The Cochrane levels-of-evidence model is used widely in research to evaluate:
A) The statistical significance of a study's effect size
B) The rigor of a study's research design
C) The quality with which the study's article is written
D) The efficacy of an intervention or treatment approach

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

A systematic review and a meta-analysis are two forms of research inquiry. Which of the following statements regarding these two designs is true?
A) Both a systematic review and a meta-analysis provide quantitative data as findings.
B) Both a systematic review and a meta-analysis may be classified as Level I studies.
C) A systematic review compares exclusively randomized trials, whereas a meta-analysis compares exclusively cohort studies.
D) A systematic review is a subtype of a meta-analysis.

Accepted Answer

Both a systematic review and a meta-analysis are considered Level I evidence, which is the highest level of evidence in the hierarchy of research designs. This is because they synthesize findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview of a particular research area or question.

Question 5

Blinding is a technique utilized often to enhance the methodology of a study. Which of the following research designs is most likely to include blinding?
A) Case-series study
B) Case-control study
C) Historically controlled study
D) Randomized trial

Accepted Answer

Blinding is most commonly used in randomized trials to prevent bias by ensuring that participants and/or researchers do not know which treatment the participants are receiving.

Question 6

The suitability of a research assessment used to quantify the effect of an intervention, as well as its appropriateness for the given population and problem of study is referred to as the:
A) Wellness of fit
B) Analytical precision
C) Relevance of the evidence
D) Quality of the data

Accepted Answer

Relevance of the evidence refers to how suitable and appropriate the research assessment is for quantifying the effect of an intervention in relation to the specific population and problem being studied. It assesses whether the evidence gathered is pertinent and applicable to the research question at hand.

Question 7

Which of the following statistical measures is not a quantification of effect size?
A) p-value
B) d-statistic
C) r-statistic
D) Binomial effect size display (BESD)

Accepted Answer

The p-value is a measure of statistical significance, indicating the probability of observing the data, or something more extreme, if the null hypothesis is true. It does not quantify the size of an effect or the strength of a relationship, unlike the d-statistic, r-statistic, and Binomial effect size display (BESD), which are all measures of effect size.

Question 8

In order to ensure that there is no effect of bias in the collection of information from high- and low-status informants, researchers should make an effort to represent participants and their experiences accurately. This rigor is applicable to the domain of:
A) Descriptive vividness
B) Methodological congruence
C) Theoretical connectedness
D) Heuristic relevance

Accepted Answer

Methodological congruence refers to the alignment of research methods with the research questions and objectives, ensuring that data collection is unbiased and accurately represents participants' experiences.

Question 9

Critical appraisal methods for qualitative and quantitative studies vary in their approach. Which of the following statements is true regarding these two appraisal approaches?
A) Methods for evaluating qualitative studies primarily utilize hierarchical criteria.
B) Evaluation for quantitative studies includes criteria examining study member checks.
C) The level of evidence is one of multiple factors considered when evaluating quantitative studies.
D) Systematic reviews are traditionally evaluated using a multidimensional perspective.

Accepted Answer

The level of evidence is indeed one of several factors considered in the evaluation of quantitative studies, reflecting the study's design, quality, and applicability. This approach helps in determining the strength and reliability of the study's findings.

Question 10

Mixed-methods study designs should be evaluated in accordance with what appraisal model?
A) A level-of-evidence model
B) A multidimensional model
C) Techniques from both level-of-evidence and multidimensional perspectives
D) Neither a level-of-evidence nor multidimensional perspective

Accepted Answer

Mixed-methods study designs integrate both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Therefore, they should be evaluated using techniques from both level-of-evidence and multidimensional perspectives to adequately assess their complex nature. This approach allows for a comprehensive appraisal of the study's evidence level, quality, and the integration of qualitative and quantitative components.

Question 11

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal.
-The study's findings are directly applicable to practice; therefore, a researcher uses a description that is consistent with meanings and the knowledge base relevant to the field in writing about the phenomenon of interest.
A) Descriptive vividness
B) Methodological congruence
C) Analytical preciseness
D) Theoretical connectedness
E) Heuristic relevance

Accepted Answer

The study's findings being directly applicable to practice and using a description consistent with meanings and the knowledge base relevant to the field aligns with heuristic relevance, which focuses on the practical applicability and relevance of the research findings.

Question 12

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal.
-Documenting the study findings, a researcher establishes congruence between the study's hypothesis and the presentation of the data, findings, interpretations, theoretical linkages, and conclusions drawn so that a clear cohesive link is established.
A) Descriptive vividness
B) Methodological congruence
C) Analytical preciseness
D) Theoretical connectedness
E) Heuristic relevance

Accepted Answer

The answer of Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative...

Question 13

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal.
-In writing the research article, a researcher ensures enough thoroughness with his or her documentation so that another researcher may replicate the study in confirmation of its findings.
A) Descriptive vividness
B) Methodological congruence
C) Analytical preciseness
D) Theoretical connectedness
E) Heuristic relevance

Accepted Answer

Methodological congruence involves ensuring that the research methodology is thoroughly documented and consistent, allowing for replication of the study by other researchers. This includes providing detailed descriptions of the research process, methods, and procedures.

Question 14

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal.
-When collecting data, a researcher ensures that he or she spends enough time at the study site. This allows the researcher to have enough familiarity with the subjects in order to adequately describe them.
A) Descriptive vividness
B) Methodological congruence
C) Analytical preciseness
D) Theoretical connectedness
E) Heuristic relevance

Accepted Answer

Descriptive vividness in qualitative research refers to the depth and detail of the description of the setting, participants, and events, which is achieved by spending sufficient time in the field to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Question 15

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal.
-As part of the article's written discussion, a researcher demonstrates how the data specifically relates to concepts within an existing professional theory.
A) Descriptive vividness
B) Methodological congruence
C) Analytical preciseness
D) Theoretical connectedness
E) Heuristic relevance

Accepted Answer

Theoretical connectedness refers to how well the research findings are connected to existing theories or concepts, which is demonstrated by the researcher showing how the data relates to concepts within an existing professional theory.

Quiz 5: Critically Appraising and Classifying Published and Presented Research

Which of the following choices correctly matches the research study designs with the corresponding Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) level of evidence?

The Cochrane levels-of-evidence model utilizes multiple criteria in its appraisal methodology. Which of the following criteria is not used by this model?

The Cochrane levels-of-evidence model is used widely in research to evaluate:

A systematic review and a meta-analysis are two forms of research inquiry. Which of the following statements regarding these two designs is true?

Blinding is a technique utilized often to enhance the methodology of a study. Which of the following research designs is most likely to include blinding?

The suitability of a research assessment used to quantify the effect of an intervention, as well as its appropriateness for the given population and problem of study is referred to as the:

Which of the following statistical measures is not a quantification of effect size?

In order to ensure that there is no effect of bias in the collection of information from high- and low-status informants, researchers should make an effort to represent participants and their experiences accurately. This rigor is applicable to the domain of:

Critical appraisal methods for qualitative and quantitative studies vary in their approach. Which of the following statements is true regarding these two appraisal approaches?

Mixed-methods study designs should be evaluated in accordance with what appraisal model?

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal. -The study's findings are directly applicable to practice; therefore, a researcher uses a description that is consistent with meanings and the knowledge base relevant to the field in writing about the phenomenon of interest.

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal. -In writing the research article, a researcher ensures enough thoroughness with his or her documentation so that another researcher may replicate the study in confirmation of its findings.

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal. -When collecting data, a researcher ensures that he or she spends enough time at the study site. This allows the researcher to have enough familiarity with the subjects in order to adequately describe them.

Match the activities with dimensions of qualitative research appraisal. -As part of the article's written discussion, a researcher demonstrates how the data specifically relates to concepts within an existing professional theory.