BMAT Research & Evidence-Based Practice 2

Question 1

A researcher wants to determine whether a new drug reduces blood pressure. Which study design provides the strongest causal evidence?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

RCTs use randomization to control confounding, making them the gold standard for establishing causality.

Question 2

In a clinical trial, 'allocation concealment' is used primarily to prevent:

Accepted Answer

Selection bias during group assignment

Answer

Allocation concealment prevents those enrolling participants from knowing the upcoming assignment, preventing selection bias.

Question 3

A study reports a hazard ratio of 0.6 (95% CI: 0.4–0.9) for a new treatment vs. placebo. Which interpretation is correct?

Accepted Answer

The treatment reduces the hazard by 40%

Answer

A hazard ratio of 0.6 means the treatment group has a 40% lower hazard rate; the CI excludes 1.0 so the result is significant.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes 'publication bias' in the context of systematic reviews?

Accepted Answer

Studies with positive results being more likely to be published

Answer

Publication bias occurs when studies with statistically significant (positive) results are more likely to be published, skewing meta-analyses.

Question 5

A screening test for cancer has sensitivity 90% and specificity 80%. In a population with 1% disease prevalence, what is the approximate positive predictive value?

Accepted Answer

4%

Answer

With low prevalence, most positive tests are false positives; applying Bayes' theorem gives a PPV of approximately 4.3%.

BMAT - Assessment Practice Test

BMAT - Assessment Practice Test

BMAT Research & Evidence-Based Practice 2