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Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

7 cards from real CLC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text

  1. A laboratory scientist wants to determine if a new hemoglobin analyzer agrees with the reference method. Which statistical approach is most appropriate?

    Answer: Bland-Altman analysis

    Bland-Altman analysis assesses agreement between two measurement methods by plotting the difference against the mean of paired measurements.

  2. In a crossover study evaluating two specimen collection protocols, the primary advantage over a parallel-group design is:

    Answer: Each participant serves as their own control, reducing inter-subject variability

    Crossover designs use each participant as their own control, which reduces variability due to between-subject differences and often requires fewer participants.

  3. Which level of evidence, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine hierarchy, provides the strongest support for a clinical laboratory guideline?

    Answer: Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials

    Systematic reviews of high-quality RCTs represent Level 1 evidence, the highest tier in evidence hierarchies used for guideline development.

  4. A laboratory consultant conducts a study and finds p=0.04 for the primary outcome. A colleague points out the confidence interval crosses the line of no effect. Which statement is correct?

    Answer: There is a contradiction; the CI and p-value should be concordant when calculated from the same data

    The p-value and confidence interval are mathematically linked; if the 95% CI crosses the null value, the p-value should be >0.05, indicating a computational error.

  5. A pre-analytical variable study uses stratified random sampling of 500 specimens. What is the purpose of stratification?

    Answer: To ensure subgroups of interest are adequately represented

    Stratified sampling divides the population into subgroups (strata) and samples from each, ensuring proportional or equal representation of key characteristics.

  6. A Funnel plot used in meta-analysis is primarily designed to detect:

    Answer: Publication bias

    Funnel plots assess publication bias by checking whether small studies with negative results are underrepresented, which would cause asymmetry in the plot.

  7. A laboratory evaluates a new troponin assay using a verification study with 120 samples. Which CLSI guideline is most applicable for this validation process?

    Answer: CLSI EP15 (User Verification of Precision and Estimation of Bias)

    CLSI EP15 provides protocols specifically for user verification of precision and bias estimation when confirming a manufacturer's performance claims.