AME Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2

Question 1

In aviation medicine research, which study design provides the strongest evidence for causality?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide the highest level of evidence for causal relationships because randomization controls for confounding variables.

Question 2

An AME reviewing a study on hypoxia effects finds a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a 3% probability the result occurred by chance under the null hypothesis

Answer

A p-value of 0.03 means there is a 3% probability of obtaining results as extreme as observed if the null hypothesis were true.

Question 3

Which type of bias occurs when pilots with known cardiac conditions are more likely to be recalled and enrolled in a cardiovascular study?

Accepted Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Selection bias occurs when the study sample is not representative of the target population due to systematic differences in who is included.

Question 4

A systematic review of aviation fatigue studies pools data from 12 individual studies. What statistical method is used to combine these results?

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

Meta-analysis is the statistical technique used in systematic reviews to quantitatively combine results from multiple independent studies.

Question 5

When evaluating aeromedical standards, which evidence source ranks highest in the hierarchy of evidence?

Accepted Answer

Systematic review of RCTs

Answer

Systematic reviews (and meta-analyses) of randomized controlled trials sit at the top of the evidence hierarchy.

(AME) Aviation Medical Examiner Certification Practice Test

(AME) Aviation Medical Examiner Certification Practice Test

AME Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2