AME Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3

Question 1

Which study design is most appropriate for investigating the prevalence of color vision deficiency among active US commercial pilots?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional survey

Answer

Cross-sectional surveys measure disease prevalence at a single point in time, making them ideal for determining how common a condition is in a population.

Question 2

An aeromedical researcher wants to determine whether sleep apnea preceded aviation incidents in accident cases. Which design is most efficient when the outcome is rare?

Accepted Answer

Case-control study

Answer

Case-control studies are most efficient for rare outcomes because they start with cases (those with the outcome) and work backward to identify exposures.

Question 3

In evidence-based aeromedical practice, what does the term 'external validity' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Whether study findings can be generalized to the broader aviation population

Answer

External validity (generalizability) refers to how well study results apply to populations and settings beyond the original study.

Question 4

A researcher reports an incidence rate of cardiac events of 2 per 10,000 flight hours. This is an example of which epidemiological measure?

Accepted Answer

Incidence density rate

Answer

Incidence density (rate) measures new events per unit of person-time (here, flight hours), not per fixed population count.

Question 5

When an AME applies evidence-based practice, which step follows the formulation of a clinical question (PICO)?

Accepted Answer

Searching the literature for relevant evidence

Answer

The EBP process: formulate PICO question → search literature → critically appraise → apply to patient → evaluate outcome.

(AME) Aviation Medical Examiner Certification Practice Test

(AME) Aviation Medical Examiner Certification Practice Test

AME Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3