MPT Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice

Question 1

According to the hierarchy of evidence, which study design provides the strongest evidence for clinical decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Systematic review with meta-analysis

Answer

Systematic reviews with meta-analysis sit at the top of the evidence hierarchy because they synthesize findings from multiple high-quality studies to produce pooled estimates.

Question 2

A study reports a p-value of 0.03. What does this most accurately indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is a 3% probability of obtaining results as extreme as observed if the null hypothesis is true

Answer

A p-value represents the probability of observing results as extreme as those obtained assuming the null hypothesis is true, not the probability that the treatment works.

Question 3

Which research design is most appropriate for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between an intervention and an outcome?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard for establishing causality because randomization distributes confounders equally and allows direct comparison of treatment effects.

Question 4

Internal validity in a research study refers to:

Accepted Answer

The extent to which the study design supports valid conclusions about cause and effect within the study

Answer

Internal validity reflects how well the study controls for confounders and biases, allowing valid causal conclusions to be drawn about the relationship studied.

Question 5

A researcher rejects the null hypothesis when it is actually true. This error is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Type I error

Answer

A Type I error (alpha error) is a false positive — incorrectly rejecting a true null hypothesis, with the probability set by the alpha level (commonly 0.05).

MPT - Master of Physical Therapy Practice Test

MPT - Master of Physical Therapy Practice Test

MPT Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice