MPharm Master of Pharmacy Master of Pharmacy: Research and Biostatistics 4

Question 1

In linear regression applied to pharmacokinetic data, the coefficient of determination (R²) represents:

Accepted Answer

The proportion of variance in the outcome explained by the predictor(s)

Answer

R² quantifies how well the independent variable(s) explain variation in the dependent variable, ranging from 0 (no fit) to 1 (perfect fit).

Question 2

The number needed to treat (NNT) is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

1 divided by the absolute risk reduction

Answer

NNT = 1/ARR; it represents how many patients must receive treatment for one additional patient to benefit compared to control.

Question 3

Which regression model is appropriate when the outcome variable is binary (e.g., responded vs. did not respond to treatment)?

Accepted Answer

Logistic regression

Answer

Logistic regression models the log-odds of a binary outcome and is the standard approach for dichotomous dependent variables in clinical research.

Question 4

In an institutional review board (IRB) submission for a phase I pharmacokinetic study, which ethical principle primarily governs the acceptable risk-benefit ratio?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Beneficence requires researchers to maximize benefits and minimize harms, directly guiding the risk-benefit assessment central to IRB review.

Question 5

A Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons adjusts the significance threshold by:

Accepted Answer

Dividing the original alpha by the number of comparisons

Answer

The Bonferroni correction sets the new threshold as α/m (where m = number of tests) to maintain the familywise error rate at the original alpha.

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Practice Test

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Practice Test

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Master of Pharmacy: Research and Biostatistics 4