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Research & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

7 cards from real DPT 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 & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text

  1. A PT wants to determine if a new balance intervention reduces fall risk in elderly patients. Which study design provides the strongest evidence for causality?

    Answer: Randomized controlled trial

    Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for establishing causality because random allocation controls for confounding variables.

  2. In a study comparing two gait training methods, researchers report a p-value of 0.03. What does this indicate?

    Answer: There is a 3% probability the results occurred by chance under the null hypothesis

    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.

  3. Which measure best describes the spread of data around the mean in a normally distributed dataset?

    Answer: Standard deviation

    Standard deviation quantifies the average dispersion of data points around the mean in a normal distribution.

  4. A systematic review pools results from 12 RCTs on manual therapy. Which statistical method is used to combine their effect sizes?

    Answer: Meta-analysis

    Meta-analysis is the statistical technique used to quantitatively combine and summarize effect sizes from multiple independent studies.

  5. When a clinician applies research findings to a patient whose demographics differ from the study sample, which EBP component is being evaluated?

    Answer: Applicability (external validity)

    Applicability or external validity concerns whether study findings can be generalized to patients outside the original study population.

  6. A clinician uses the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) pre- and post-treatment. The PSFS has an MDC of 2 points. A patient improves by 1.5 points. What is the correct interpretation?

    Answer: The change may be within measurement error

    A change below the minimal detectable change (MDC) cannot be distinguished from measurement error with confidence.

  7. In an EBP framework, which of the following best represents integration of all three core components?

    Answer: Combining best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences

    EBP requires integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and individual patient values and preferences.