Chapter 11: Systematic Reviews and Clinical Practice Guidelines

Number the pieces of information in the order that they should be found in a Cochrane Review. 1. ___ data collection 2. ___ plain language summary 3. ___ type of studies reviewed 4. ___ authors and contact person 5. ___ abstract 6. ___ background of the question 7. ____ types of participants 8. ___ objectives of the search 9. ___ implications for research and practice 10. ___ methods for selecting studies for review 11. ___ search methods for finding studies 12. ___ analysis of the located studies 13. ___ results 14. ___ references and tables 15. ___ discussion

1. authors and contact person 2. abstract 3. plain language summary 4. background of the question 5. objectives of the search 6. methods for selecting studies for review 7. type of studies reviewed 8. types of participants 9. search methods for finding studies 10. data collection 11. analysis of the located studies 12. results 13. discussion 14. implications for research and practice 15. references and tables

The highest level of evidence is known to be provided by what? a. Meta-analysis b. Systematic review c. Effect size d. Integrative review

ANS: A Feedback A Meta-analysis provides Level I evidence, the highest level of evidence, as it statistically analyzes and integrates the results of many studies. B Systematic review is not known to provide the same level of evidence as meta-analysis. C Effect sizes are calculated using the difference in the averages scores between the intervention and control groups from each study. D Integrative review is not known to provide the same level of evidence as meta-analysis.

What terms means a summation and assessment of research studies found in the literature based on a clearly focused question? a. Meta-analysis b. Systematic review c. Cochrane collaboration d. Integrative review

ANS: B Feedback A A meta-analysis is a systematic summary using statistical techniques to assess and combine studies of the same design to obtain a precise estimate of effect (impact of an intervention on the dependent variable/outcomes or association between variables). B A systematic review is a summation and assessment of research studies found in the literature based on a clearly focused question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, critically appraise, and analyze relevant data from the selected studies to summarize the findings in a focused area. C The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organization that prepares and maintains a body of systematic reviews that focus on health care interventions. D An integrative review is the broadest category of review. It can include theoretical literature, research literature, or both, and may include methodology studies, a theory review, or the results of differing research studies with wide-ranging clinical implications.

Which are methods for searching and integrating the literature related to a specific clinical issue? (Select all that apply.) a. Meta-analysis b. Systematic review c. Cochrane collaboration d. Integrative review

ANS: B, D Feedback Correct Systematic and integrative reviews are not designs per se but rather methods for searching and integrating the literature related to a specific clinical issue. Incorrect A meta-analysis is a systematic summary using statistical techniques to assess and combine studies of the same design to obtain a precise estimate of effect (impact of an intervention on the dependent variable/outcomes or association between variables). The Cochrane Collaboration is an international organization that prepares and maintains a body of systematic reviews that focus on health care interventions.

What source contains information on studies published in conference proceedings and other sources not available in other databases? a. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews b. Database of Abstracts of Review of Effects c. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials d. Cochrane Methodology Register

ANS: C Feedback A The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews contains full text Cochrane reviews. B The Database of Abstracts of Review of Effects (DARE) contains critical assessments and abstracts of other systematic reviews that conform to quality criteria. C The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) contains information on studies published in conference proceedings and other sources not available in other databases. D The Cochrane Methodology Register is known to contain bibliographic information on articles and books on reviewing research and methodological studies.

What is known to contain bibliographic information on articles and books on reviewing research and methodological studies? a. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews b. Database of Abstracts of Review of Effects c. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials d. Cochrane Methodology Register

ANS: D Feedback A The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews contains full text Cochrane reviews. B The Database of Abstracts of Review of Effects (DARE) contains critical assessments and abstracts of other systematic reviews that conform to quality criteria. C The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) contains information on studies published in conference proceedings and other sources not available in other databases. D The Cochrane Methodology Register is known to contain bibliographic information on articles and books on reviewing research and methodological studies.