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
A laboratory director wants to implement evidence-based phlebotomy order-of-draw guidelines. Which source would provide the highest-quality evidence to support this change?
Answer: Peer-reviewed systematic review with meta-analysis
Peer-reviewed systematic reviews with meta-analysis synthesize evidence from multiple studies and represent the highest quality evidence for practice guidelines.
A laboratory research protocol includes a washout period between two phases of testing. This is designed to eliminate:
Answer: Carryover effect from the first intervention
Washout periods allow any physiological or analytical effects from the first intervention to dissipate before the second phase begins.
Which IRB category typically applies to a retrospective chart review using de-identified laboratory data with no more than minimal risk?
Answer: Exempt review
Research involving de-identified existing data with no more than minimal risk commonly qualifies for exempt review under 45 CFR 46.104.
A laboratory scientist applies the GRADE framework to evaluate evidence quality. Which factor would DOWNGRADE the quality of evidence?
Answer: Serious risk of bias in included studies
In GRADE, serious risk of bias—such as lack of blinding or inadequate allocation concealment—lowers the quality rating of the evidence.
When reporting laboratory research, the STARD guidelines specifically apply to studies evaluating:
Answer: Diagnostic test accuracy
STARD (Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) provides a checklist to improve completeness and transparency in diagnostic accuracy research.
A laboratory conducts a process improvement project using the PDSA cycle. In which phase should staff collect data to determine if the change produced the intended result?
Answer: Study
The Study phase involves analyzing data collected during the Do phase to assess whether the intervention achieved the desired improvement.
In laboratory informatics research, what does the term 'data harmonization' primarily address?
Answer: Standardizing data from multiple sources so they can be meaningfully compared or combined
Data harmonization resolves differences in terminology, units, coding systems, and formats across multiple data sources to enable valid comparison or pooling.