Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

The FAA uses accident investigation data to update aeromedical certification standards. This process exemplifies which principle of evidence-based practice?

Answer: Integrating best available evidence with regulatory context

Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and contextual factors such as regulatory requirements.

Which statistical concept describes the probability that a study will detect a true effect if one exists?

Answer: Statistical power (1 − β)

Statistical power (1 − β) is the probability of correctly rejecting a false null hypothesis, i.e., detecting a real effect.

A study reports that diabetic pilots on insulin had a hazard ratio of 1.8 for aviation accidents compared to non-diabetic pilots. In which study design is a hazard ratio the typical reported measure?

Answer: Survival (time-to-event) analysis

Hazard ratios are the primary effect measure in survival analysis (Cox proportional hazards models), which account for time to event.

An AME uses a validated questionnaire to screen pilots for depression. The tool correctly identifies 85 of 100 depressed pilots. What is this 85% figure called?

Answer: Sensitivity

Sensitivity is the proportion of true positives correctly identified by a screening test (true positives / all with the condition).

Which source of evidence should an AME prioritize when current RCT evidence is unavailable for an aeromedical certification question?

Answer: Well-designed observational studies with consistent findings

When RCTs are unavailable or unethical, well-designed observational studies (cohort or case-control) with consistent results represent the next best evidence.

Confounding in an aeromedical study of alcohol and spatial disorientation could be controlled during analysis by which method?

Answer: Stratification or multivariable regression

Stratification and multivariable regression adjust for confounders during analysis by isolating the effect of the exposure of interest.

An aviation medical research protocol requires all participants to provide written consent describing study risks. This requirement reflects which ethical principle?

Answer: Respect for autonomy (informed consent)

Informed consent operationalizes the ethical principle of respect for autonomy, ensuring participants voluntarily agree with full understanding of the study.