DPT Research & Evidence-Based Practice 2

Question 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?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Standard deviation

Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Applicability (external validity)

Answer

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

(DPT) Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy Practice Test

(DPT) Board Certified Doctor of Physical Therapy Practice Test

DPT Research & Evidence-Based Practice 2