Question 1

Meta-analyses review systematically existing studies and aggregate their statistical results.

Accepted Answer

Meta-analyses review existing studies and use statistical methods to combine and analyze their results. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a particular research question or topic.

Question 2

An expedient way to start searching for evidence is by going to the website of the Cochrane Collaboration or the Campbell Collaboration.

Accepted Answer

The Cochrane Collaboration and the Campbell Collaboration are both reputable sources for evidence-based research, making them a good place to start searching for evidence.

Question 3

EBP is a process for integrating the most rigorous research evidence with practice expertise and knowledge of client attributes in making practice decisions.

Accepted Answer

EBP stands for evidence-based practice, which is a process of integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and client values and preferences to inform clinical decision-making.

Question 4

Descriptive statistics:
A)Tell us the probability that a given result can be attributed to chance.
B)Can include frequency distributions or measures of central tendency and dispersion.
C)Typically involve analysis of variance (ANOVA).
D)All of these.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics can include frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and dispersion to summarize and describe data, but they do not provide information about the probability that a result is due to chance (that is the domain of inferential statistics). ANOVA is a specific type of inferential statistical analysis, not a descriptive statistic.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true about research evidence?
A)The best evidence available must be strong evidence based on studies that are virtually flawless.
B)Interventions with very strong supporting evidence can be assumed to be effective when you implement them.
C)If you can find no persuasive research evidence for any intervention applicable to your target problem, and you therefore must intervene in the absence of supporting evidence, the fifth stage of the EBP process (evaluating outcome) is no longer relevant or needed.
D)No matter how strong the evidence that supports your chosen intervention may be, you should evaluate whether it achieves the intended outcome when you implement it.

Accepted Answer

No matter how strong the evidence that supports your chosen intervention may be, it is important to evaluate whether it achieves the intended outcome when you implement it. This is the fifth stage of the EBP process and is always relevant, even if there is no research evidence for the intervention being used. Therefore, options A, B, and C are incorrect.

Question 6

EBP is a process for making practice decisions based solely on research evidence.

Accepted Answer

EBP involves integrating research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values/preferences to make practice decisions, rather than relying solely on research evidence.

Question 7

Evidence-base practice:
A)Is a list of empirically supported interventions that practitioners should employ regardless of their practice judgment.
B)Is a process for making practice decisions based on integrating the best research evidence with practice expertise and knowledge of client attributes.
C)Is a process for making practice decisions based solely on research evidence.
D)Assures practice effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and taking into consideration the client's unique characteristics, values, and circumstances. It is not simply following a list of empirically supported interventions, nor is it based solely on research evidence. The goal of evidence-based practice is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of practice.

Question 8

Inferential statistics tell us the probability that a given result can be attributed to chance.

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics use hypothesis testing and probability calculations to determine whether a result could be due to chance or not. Therefore, it is true that inferential statistics tell us the probability that a given result can be attributed to chance.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true about published research studies?
A)Some published research studies are fatally flawed.
B)Being published ensures that a research study is scientifically rigorous.
C)To be useful, research studies should be flawless.
D)Although some published studies might have minor flaws, none will be fatally flawed.

Accepted Answer

Some published research studies are likely to have flaws, including major flaws that can impact the validity and reliability of the study's findings. It is important for researchers and readers to critically evaluate published studies and be aware of their limitations.

Question 10

EBP is a list of empirically supported interventions that practitioners should employ regardless of their practice judgment.

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice (EBP) involves integrating an individual's clinical expertise, patient values, and the best available evidence to make decisions about patient care. It is not a prescriptive list of interventions that must be used regardless of clinical judgment.

Question 11

Which of the following statements is correct about evidence-based practice?
A)It is a process.
B)It is a list of interventions that will be effective with every client.
C)It refers to decisions about intervention effectiveness, only.
D)Idiosyncratic client attributes should be ignored when selecting the best intervention

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice is a process that involves making decisions about intervention based on the best available evidence, the client's individual needs and context, and the therapist's clinical expertise. It is not a list of interventions that work for every client, nor does it ignore idiosyncratic client attributes.

Question 12

EBP questions can ask:
A)What intervention has the most likelihood of success?
B)What factors best predict desirable or undesirable outcomes?
C)What type of assessment tool should be used?
D)All of these.

Accepted Answer

EBP questions can ask about the effectiveness of interventions (A), the factors that influence outcomes (B), and the appropriate assessment tools to use (C). Therefore, all of these options are potential EBP questions.

Question 13

Inferential statistics:
A)Are limited to describing a population.
B)Always require the use of parametric tests.
C)Always require the use of nonparametric tests.
D)Tell us the probability that a given result can be attributed to chance.

Accepted Answer

Inferential statistics are used to make inferences or predictions about a population based on data from a sample. They often involve calculating the probability that the observed results are due to chance or some other underlying factor. This probability is often expressed as a p-value, and it helps us determine whether an observed effect is statistically significant. Parametric and nonparametric tests are both used in inferential statistics, depending on the type of data being analyzed and the assumptions being made about the population. However, neither of these options are always required.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is correct about evidence-based practice?
A)It is mainly a cost cutting tool.
B)It does not allow room for practitioner expertise to overrule the best evidence.
C)It calls for practitioners to make practice decisions based on the integration of their practice expertise, their knowledge of client attributes, and the best research evidence.
D)It has only two stages.

Accepted Answer

Evidence-based practice involves combining the best available research evidence with practitioners' expertise and knowledge of client needs and preferences to make decisions about the most appropriate clinical interventions. It is not solely focused on cost cutting, nor does it ignore the importance of practitioner expertise. Furthermore, evidence-based practice typically involves a multi-step process of formulating clinical questions, searching the literature, critically appraising evidence, and applying findings to clinical practice, so it has more than just two stages.

Question 15

When searching for evidence, you should:
A)Refrain from looking at web sites
B)Use only one search term.
C)Avoid systematic reviews.
D)Examine the Cochrane and Campbell Collaboration resources.

Accepted Answer

Examining the Cochrane and Campbell Collaboration resources is the best choice as they are well-respected sources of high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Refraining from looking at web sites is not advisable as there are many credible and informative sites available. Using only one search term may limit the scope of your search and miss important information. Avoiding systematic reviews is also not advised as they provide an overview of all the available evidence on a particular topic.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true about searching for evidence in the second phase of the EBP process? *
A)You might have to try different search terms before finding what you need.
B)It is a bad idea to start your search by going to the websites of the Cochrane Collaboration or the Campbell Collaboration.
C)Professional literature databases should be avoided.
D)All search engines will immediately connect you to original research studies that you can read in their entirety.

Accepted Answer

It is common to have to try different search terms and refine your search strategy to find the most relevant evidence for your question.

Question 17

EBP questions always focus on choosing an intervention.

Accepted Answer

EBP questions focus on determining the most effective intervention based on available evidence, but also involve evaluating the patient's values and preferences, as well as clinical expertise.

Question 18

Some published research studies are much more flawed than others.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The quality of research studies can vary based on factors such as sample size, control group, methodology, and statistical analysis, among others. Some studies may be poorly designed or have biases that impact the results, while others may have stronger methods and conclusions. It is important to critically evaluate research studies before drawing conclusions or making decisions based on their findings.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true about selecting and implementing interventions supported by research evidence?
A)The best scientific evidence should dictate the choice of intervention.
B)No matter how strong an intervention's evidence might be, that intervention is likely to be inapplicable for some clients.
C)Once the intervention is chosen and implemented, the EBP process is concluded.
D)None of these.

Accepted Answer

While evidence-based practice relies on scientific evidence to inform intervention decisions, it is important to consider individual factors such as client preferences and feasibility of implementation. Therefore, it is possible that even if there is strong evidence for a particular intervention, it may not be appropriate or feasible for all clients. Additionally, the EBP process should not be considered concluded once an intervention is chosen and implemented, as ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness is necessary to ensure its continued success.

Question 20

The type of EBP question you ask and your practice role will influence the specific types of statistics you are likely to encounter and how much technical detail you'll need to know about those statistics.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Different types of EBP questions will require different statistical tests and measures, and the amount of technical detail needed will vary depending on one's practice role.

Quiz 2: Use of Statistics in Evidence-Based Practice

Meta-analyses review systematically existing studies and aggregate their statistical results.

An expedient way to start searching for evidence is by going to the website of the Cochrane Collaboration or the Campbell Collaboration.

EBP is a process for integrating the most rigorous research evidence with practice expertise and knowledge of client attributes in making practice decisions.

Descriptive statistics:

Which of the following statements is true about research evidence?

EBP is a process for making practice decisions based solely on research evidence.

Evidence-base practice:

Inferential statistics tell us the probability that a given result can be attributed to chance.

Which of the following statements is true about published research studies?

EBP is a list of empirically supported interventions that practitioners should employ regardless of their practice judgment.

Which of the following statements is correct about evidence-based practice?

EBP questions can ask:

Inferential statistics:

Which of the following statements is correct about evidence-based practice?

When searching for evidence, you should:

Which of the following statements is true about searching for evidence in the second phase of the EBP process? *

EBP questions always focus on choosing an intervention.

Some published research studies are much more flawed than others.

Which of the following statements is true about selecting and implementing interventions supported by research evidence?

The type of EBP question you ask and your practice role will influence the specific types of statistics you are likely to encounter and how much technical detail you'll need to know about those statistics.