ABFM Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2

Question 1

In forensic research, which study design provides the highest level of evidence for establishing causation?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Randomized controlled trials minimize confounding through random assignment and are at the top of the evidence hierarchy for establishing causation.

Question 2

A forensic pathologist reviews 15 years of toxicology reports to identify trends in opioid-related deaths. This is an example of which research design?

Accepted Answer

Retrospective cohort study

Answer

A retrospective cohort study uses existing records to follow subjects from past exposure to outcome, which describes reviewing historical toxicology data for trends.

Question 3

Which statistical measure best describes the strength of association between a risk factor and an outcome in a case-control study?

Accepted Answer

Odds ratio

Answer

Odds ratios are the appropriate measure of association in case-control studies because incidence rates cannot be directly calculated from this design.

Question 4

A researcher finds p=0.03 for a study comparing two forensic toxicology methods. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

There is a 3% probability of observing results this extreme if the null hypothesis were true

Answer

A p-value represents the probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as observed, assuming the null hypothesis is true.

Question 5

When appraising a forensic medicine study for bias, which type occurs when cases are identified differently from controls in a case-control study?

Accepted Answer

Information bias

Answer

Information bias (including recall bias and misclassification) arises from systematic differences in how data are collected or recorded between comparison groups.

(ABFM) American Board of Forensic Medicine Certification Practice Test

(ABFM) American Board of Forensic Medicine Certification Practice Test

ABFM Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2