Research methods practice questions

Belmont report:

Autonomy, Beneficence, Justice

Evidence based practice requires the integration of existing research, clinical expertise, patient preferences and clinical context. Match each problem with the most appropriate term The patient lives in rural Kansas and does not have access to transportation Clinical treatment guidelines for this problem do not exist The patient does not want to start another med You have never treated a patient with this problem before

1. The patient lives in rural Kansas and does not have access to transportation--- Clinical context 2. Clinical treatment guidelines for this problem do not exist--- Existing research 3. The patient does not want to start another med--- Patient preference 4. You have never treated a patient with this problem before--- Clinical expertise

All of the following studies meet criteria for expedited IRB review EXCEPT: A study of a new drug not yet FDA approved Collection of data through routine, simple, noninvasive practices Collection of urine samples Research on drugs being used in accordance with routine practice

A study of a new drug not yet FDA approved

Which of the 5 As of evidence-based practice (EBP) involves use of PubMed and Cochrane Library? ask acquire appraise apply assess

Acquire

Qualitative research tends to be: conducted in natural settings exploratory in nature open to change as new information emerges all of the above

All of the above

Which type of survey would offer the highest level of privacy? anonymous confidential

Anonymous

This tool is useful in assessing the quality of a set of clinical guidelines: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC)

Appraisal of guidelines research and evaluation (AGREE)

Which of 5 A's of EBP involves critiquing a set of clinical guidelines to determine if they were appropriately developed and are reliable?

Appraise

Which of 5 A's of EBP involves evaluating how well you implemented the principles of EBP with you patient and how you might improve in the future

Assess

Which statement regarding QUALitative research is FALSE? Asks broad questions Attempts to answer questions without looking for specific relationships Attempts to answer questions without measuring variables quantifiably Attempts to establish causality (cause/effect) Data are collected through interviews, videos, or images

Attempts to establish causality (cause/effect)

Evidence based practice is the process of combining the _______ with your knowledge and skills to make collaborative, patient or population centered health care decisions within the context of a given health care situation

Best available research evidence

Clinical outcomes that matter include all of the following EXCEPT: Biomarkers morbidity mortality quality of life

Biomarkers

Which type of information would be the lowest/weakest on a level of evidence chart? case study cohort trial randomized controlled trial systematic review

Case study

An independent variable is best described as the variable that is: changed or manipulated (intervention) controlled or kept the same throughout the study measured (the outcome) most likely to artificially confound the data

Changed or manipulated (intervention)

Which type of information would be the highest/strongest on a level of evidence chart? case series Cochrane review cohort trial critical appraisal of a single article

Cochrane review

A shift in healthcare away from focus on clinician authority and toward

Collaborative, patient centered decision making model

Which of these statements regarding conference proceedings is true? Conference proceedings carry a higher level of "authority" than peer-reviewed publications. Conference proceedings contain mostly dissertations and theses papers. Conference proceedings may only contain abstracts of the research studies. Conference proceedings usually contain summaries of previously published research proceedings:

Conference proceedings may only contain abstracts of the research studies.

Some personally identifiable information is collected about the study subjects, but that information is kept private by the researchers. This is called: anonymous confidential

Confidential

3 main goals of data management

Confidentiality, availability, and integrity

Analysis of qualitative research data is called: content analysis mechanistic analysis predictive analysis statistical analysis

Content analysis

Pros of open-access journals may include all of the following EXCEPT: Articles are free of charge without subscriptions. Increased consumer access to articles may increase author citation rates. Some open-access journals/publishers are working hard to grow their reputation for quality. They exclusively contain systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

Correct They exclusively contain systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

In qualitative research, saturation, member checks, triangulation, and peer review improve a study's:

Credibility

Which statement best describes exclusion criteria? criteria or characteristics of the subjects that are collected to describe the sample criteria that will eliminate a subject from being included in the study or in data analysis criteria used to make the study more generalizable criteria used to measure the validity of the outcome variable

Criteria that will eliminate a subject from being included in the study or data analysis

Ensuring that all appropriate users have access to data whenever necessary

Data availability

Preventing inappropriate access to the data/protecting privacy of research subjects

Data confidentiality

Data are recorded, stored, and preserved appropriately during the full lifecycle of a study so that what is available is fully accurate

Date integrity

The results section of a qualitative research article includes all of the following EXCEPT: direct quotes from participants discussion of study limitations major themes/findings report of patient characteristics whether or not saturation was reached

Discussion of study limitations

A dissertation is usually completed by a(n): doctoral student masters student professor undergraduate student

Doctoral student

Cons of open access journals may include all of the following EXCEPT: Due to publishing costs, they contain only abstracts of research The introduction f payment to publish introduces ethical issues The process may dilute or diminish the overall quality of rigor and published research These newer journals lack the reputation of their subscription only counterparts

Due to publishing costs, they contain only abstracts of research

Which IRB application would meet criteria for exempt after review status? Education settings involving normal educational practices Research involving collection of blood samples Survey measuring attitudes or beliefs Trial of a new drug or device not previously tested in humans

Education settings involving normal educational practices

In qualitative research, phenomenology is similar to biography, expect that phenomenology is the study of: an individual as told to the researcher in documents or archival material experiences of a group of individuals centered on a single phenomenon focus groups and multiple interviews structured paper or telephone surveys

Experiences of a group of individuals centered on a single phenomenon

Advantages of Likert scale survey questions include all of the following EXCEPT: Exploratory in nature because a range of possible responses may occur Quick to answer and easy to analyze Usually easy to understand Usually lead to consistent responses

Exploratory in nature because a range of possible responses may occur

Having interventions and monitoring that are realistic and practical and including subjects that are most similar to those seen in practice improve a study's: external validity internal validity objectivity reliability

External validity

Using multicenter sites, randomized treatment allocation, and a large sample size improve a study's: External validity Internal validity Outcome Reliability

External validity

What is fabrication: What is falsification:

Fabrication is making up data or results Falsification is Illegitimate manipulation of the data or research

The typical purpose of a white paper is to: help readers understand an issue or solve a problem. present at a professional conference or colloquia. report an adverse drug event to the FDA. report back to the IRB when the study is completed.

Help readers understand an issue or solve problem

Which best describes a cohort study? Follows a group of subjects over time Measures a single point in time Prospective study comparing an intervention to a control Qualitative focus group study

Follows a group of subjects over time

Which type of information would be the highest/strongest on a level of evidence chart? Case study conceptual study descriptive study generalizable study

Generalizable study

A technical writer for a pharmaceutical company writes an article for a well-known, well respected researcher who is then listed as the key author. This unethical practice is called: collaborative authorship duplicate publication ghost authorship honorary or gift authorship

Ghost authorship

A survey question in which you can answer in any way you wish is called: check all that apply question forced choice question Likert scale question open-ended question

Open ended question

You want to make your boss happy so you add her name to the list of authors even though she did not contribute to the project. This unethical practice is called: collaborative authorship duplicate publication ghost authorship honorary or gift authorship

Honorary or gift authorship

Benefits of random treatment allocation include all of the following EXCEPT: improved balance between groups improved fairness in treatment allocation improved researcher convenience reduced selection bias

Improve researcher convenience

Which best describes a placebo? an observable characteristic or phenomenon formal statement of the research hypothesis inert substance used in controlled trials probability of harm or injury occurring as a result of participation in a research study

Inert substance used in controlled trials

Who are considered vulnerable research populations

Kids less than 18, pregnant women, and prisoners are vulnerable populations

Which best describes protection of confidentially of an individual subject? Discussing the risks and benefits of the study with the individuals Making sure not to collect any personal identifiers such as name, date of birth, address, etc Recruiting enough subjects to perform statistical analysis Recruiting subjects in a way that ensures varied characteristics of the sample size

Making sure not to collect any personal identifiers such as name, DOB, address, etc.

Thesis completed by a

Masters student

Which best describes a cross-sectional study design? follows a group of subjects over time measures a single point in time prospective study comparing an intervention to a control qualitative focus group study

Measures a single point in time

Which best explains the argument presented by Dr. Chou in the video "should systematic reviews and meta-analysis be level 1 evidence?"

Meta-analysis and systematic reviews are a synthesis of the research and are therefore, only as good as the quality of research being synthesized and the methods used

The question, "Did the researchers engage in reflexivity and make their self-disclosure transparent?" attempts to address:

Objectivity

Using teams of researchers and data collectors, blinded data collection, blinded analysis, and avoiding conflicts of interest improve a study's: external validity internal validity objectivity reliability

Objectivity

All of the following are considered "vulnerable" research populations EXCEPT

Older adults (older than 65)

Which best describes an abstract?

Paragraph summarizing the article and overviewing major points

Funding bias can be reduced by all of the following EXCEPT: 1. disclosing potential conflicts of interest 2. openly reporting all funding sources 3. Paying all the researchers involved in the study equally 4. unrestricted funding

Paying all the researcher involved in the study equally

Which is a way to help mitigate or reduce the incidence of research misconduct?

Periodic verification of data collections and methods, setting the right tone and good mentoring to enhance research integrity, training regarding what does and does not constitute plagiarism, fabrication and falsification

Least likely voting member of an IRB

Person conducting the research being reviewed

Which of the following is NOT an example of an observational research design? 1. case series 2. case studies 3. epidemiological studies 4. pre-test/post-test designs

Pre-test/post-test designs

The IRB has the authority to do all of the following EXCEPT: approve a research plan ask for interim reports of the study progress ask for modification before approval disapprove a research plan prevent publication of unfavorable results require human subjects training of researchers suspend/terminate approval at any time

Prevent publication of unfavorable results

A published case study or case report is usually considered to be: primary literature secondary literature tertiary literature

Primary literature

Published results of a focus group study is considered

Primary literature

Published results of a focus group study is usually considered to be: Primary literature Secondary literature Tertiary literature

Primary literature

Ethnography usually involves: analysis of de-identified, previously collected data prolonged observation through emersion with the group or focus groups or one-on-one interviews retrospective data collection from patient records structured paper or telephone surveys

Prolonged observation through emersion with the group or focus groups of one on one interviews

By definition, experimental research is: Prospective Retrospective

Prospective

A sample of patients is identified now and followed over time into the future. This is an example of a: case-control study cross-sectional study prospective cohort study retrospective cohort study

Prospective cohort study

The purpose of informed consent is: to obtain a signature from a study subject in order to document agreement to participate in research. to obtain a signature from a study subject in order to protect the investigator, the study staff and the institution. to document the investigator's participation in the consent process. to provide a potential subject with appropriate information in an appropriate manner and allow that person to make an informed decision about participation in research.

Provide a potential subject with appropriate information in an appropriate manner and allow that person to make an informed decision about participation in research

People less likely to be considered for authorship

Provide funding for the project

Research with positive or interesting findings are much more likely to be published than studies that showed "no difference" between groups. This is referred to as: funding bias Hawthorne effect publication bias measurement bias

Publication bias

An open-ended survey question will typically yield: qualitative data quantitative data

Qualitative data

Reporting Likert scale data as means or frequencies uses the data as: qualitative data quantitative data

Quantitative data

Many businesses and healthcare organizations routinely engage in continuous quality improvement projects. CQI studies are considered a type of:

Quasi experimental study

Advantage of open-ended survey questions include all of the following EXCEPT: Allow for more detailed responses Exploratory in nature because a range of possible responses may occur Quotes from subjects can add depth to the data Quicker to answer and easier to analyze

Quicker to answer and easier to analyze

The methods section of a research article includes all of the following EXCEPT: description of data analysis procedures inclusion/exclusion criteria outcome measurements population, sampling, and treatment allocation r values, p values, and confidence intervals study design and setting

R value, p values, and confidence intervals

Which type of RCT would be highest/strongest on level of evidence chart Narrow confidence interval Wide confidence interval

RCT with a narrow confidence interval

Which type of info would be highest/strongest on a level of evidence chart: Case study Cohort trial Expert opinion Randomized controlled trial

Randomized controlled trial

Case studies are most effective for describing: cultural or social behaviors, customs, and ways of life rare or newly discovered syndromes or diseases opinions, attitudes, and beliefs of groups of people the importance of personal perspective and interpretation

Rare or newly discovered syndromes or diseases

Subjects may not remember completely or accurately the history of symptoms, exposure, or behaviors. This is referred to as:

Recall bias

Subject in clinical research trial experiences serious, unanticipated side effect. How should the investigator proceed, with respect to the IRB, after discovery of event?

Report the adverse drug experience in a timely manner, in keeping with the IRBs policies and procedures, using the forms or the mechanism provided by the IRB

Which statement about conflicts of interest is FALSE? Examples of types of conflicts of interest include institutional, financial, personal, and conflicts of conscience. Potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed within the research article. Researchers with potential conflicts of interest must resign from the study. When conflicts of interest cannot be eliminated, management plans are often created to reduce their impact.

Researchers with potential conflicts of interest must resign from the study

Google Scholar searches: one discipline's literature at a time only conference proceedings scholarly literature available online the entire internet

Scholarly literature available online

A systematic review or meta-analysis are usually considered to be: primary literature secondary literature tertiary literature

Secondary literature

Cochrane Library, MedScape, and Journal Watch are examples of: primary literature secondary literature tertiary literature

Secondary literature

Systematic or procedural errors that results in unequal or imbalanced groups is referred to as: funding bias publication bias recall bias selection bias

Selection bias

Subjects might not be completely honest or may have wildly different perceptions that skew the data. This is referred to as: Hawthorne effect publication bias recall bias self-reporting bias

Self reporting bias

Which best describes a cross-over design study?

Subjects receive treatment A and then later receive treatment B

An indirect outcome that reflects another type of outcome, usually an outcome of clinical importance is called a(n): clinically significant outcome that matters independent variable patient demographic/characteristic surrogate marker

Surrogate marker

A researcher collects data using structured questions to elicit self-reported information regarding opinions, behaviors, or demographics. This is called: case report cohort study experimental research survey research

Survey research

Cochrane Library is a database of high-quality, peer-reviewed: case studies and case series general disease review articles national treatment guidelines representing standard of care systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Consensus guidelines or practice guidelines are usually considered Primary literature Secondary literature Tertiary literature

Tertiary literature

Which best describes the process for exempt following review projects? The full board of members convenes, discusses, and votes. The IRB chair reviews the materials and exempts the project from review. The IRB chair will review the application and make a decision. The members discuss the application via email instead of person and vote.

The IRB chair reviews the materials and exempts the project from review

Amendments involving changes to the IRB approved protocols do NOT need prior IRB approval if: The changes must be immediately implemented for the health and well-being of the subject The changes only involve changes to the consent form The changes are eligible for review using expedited procedures The investigator keeps careful records of all changes and incudes them in the final report

The changes must be immediately implemented for the health and well-being of the subject

In qualitative research, a case series is defined as: focus groups and multiple interviews prolonged observation through emersion with the group the collection and presentation of detailed information about a small group of individuals the collection and presentation of detailed information about an individual

The collection and presentation of detailed information about a small group of individuals

In qualitative research, a case study is defined as:

The collection and presentation of detailed information about an individual

Which statement regarding a focus group is true? Anyone can lead a focus group, specific training is not required. The focus group discussion is usually recorded and then transcribed. The participants are encouraged to discuss whatever they want without structure. The researcher is usually not in the room during the focus group discussion.

The focus group discussion is usually recoded and then transcribed

The main principle of the Nuremberg Code is: Certain studies can be expected from full IRB review. Research in other countries requires IRB approval by both countries. The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential. Vulnerable populations deserve extra precautions.

The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential.

The most common form of content analysis in qualitative research is: causal analysis exploratory analysis inferential analysis thematic analysis

Thematic analysis

Each of the following statements regarding clinical guidelines is true, EXCEPT: They are a systematic review of literature attempting to answer a single clinical question. They combine clinical research with expert opinion. They typically represent standard of care. They usually provide a disease overview including diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, & outcomes.

They are a systematic review of literature attempting to answer a single clinical question

In qualitative research, the use of different researchers to collect vs. analyze data and the use of multiple methods to collect data (e.g. survey, focus group, interview, direct observation) is known as:

Triangulation

Clinical guidelines are not meant to be a rigid set of rules. Following clinical guidelines rigidly without factoring in patient/client preferences and clinical settings can be detrimental. True False

True

Clinical guidelines written by an interprofessional (multidisciplinary) team are considered stronger than guidelines written by only one discipline. True false

True

In qualitative research, the researcher often has direct contact with the population or phenomenon they are studying. True False

True

Detailed descriptions of participant characteristics and direct quotations from participants improve a study's: credibility dependability objectivity transferability

transferability