MPT Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice 3

Question 1

The PICO framework used in evidence-based practice stands for:

Accepted Answer

Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome

Answer

Population, Interest, Control, Observation

Answer

Problem, Indicator, Clinical, Objective

Answer

Patient, Issue, Criteria, Outcome

Question 2

Publication bias in research most commonly refers to:

Accepted Answer

Journals preferentially publishing studies with positive or statistically significant results

Answer

Researchers only submitting results from large-scale studies

Answer

Authors selectively reporting only favorable secondary outcome measures

Answer

Industry-funded studies being more likely to appear in high-impact journals

Question 3

Which study design is most appropriate for determining the prevalence of low back pain in a population at a single point in time?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Case-control study

Answer

Prospective cohort study

Question 4

External validity in a research study refers to:

Accepted Answer

Whether the study results can be generalized to other populations and clinical settings

Answer

The accuracy of the measurement tool used in the study

Answer

The degree to which the study design controls for confounding variables

Answer

The reproducibility of measurements across different testing occasions

Question 5

In a forest plot from a meta-analysis, a diamond that crosses the vertical line of no effect indicates:

Accepted Answer

The pooled treatment effect is not statistically significant

Answer

High statistical heterogeneity among the included studies

Answer

There is likely publication bias affecting the analysis

Answer

The overall sample size across studies was insufficient

Question 6

Which psychometric property refers to a test measuring the construct it is actually intended to measure?

Accepted Answer

Validity

Answer

Reliability

Answer

Responsiveness

Answer

Feasibility

Question 7

In the evidence-based practice process, which step is performed FIRST?

Accepted Answer

Formulate a well-structured clinical question using PICO

Answer

Critically appraise the quality of retrieved evidence

Answer

Apply the evidence to individual patient care decisions

Answer

Search relevant databases for studies addressing the topic