Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following elements should be included in the abstract of a systematic review?
Which of the following elements should be included in the abstract of a systematic review?
The introduction section of a systematic review should only state the objective, without summarizing previous data.
The introduction section of a systematic review should only state the objective, without summarizing previous data.
False
What does PICOTS stand for in the context of systematic review eligibility criteria?
What does PICOTS stand for in the context of systematic review eligibility criteria?
population, interventions, comparators, outcomes, timing/setting
Data not formally published in standard sources like journals is referred to as ______ literature.
Data not formally published in standard sources like journals is referred to as ______ literature.
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Match the systematic review section with its content:
Match the systematic review section with its content:
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Which of the following best describes a systematic review?
Which of the following best describes a systematic review?
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A meta-analysis is a qualitative process that summarizes data from individual studies.
A meta-analysis is a qualitative process that summarizes data from individual studies.
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What is the primary goal of a meta-analysis?
What is the primary goal of a meta-analysis?
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A narrative review lacks ______ methods.
A narrative review lacks ______ methods.
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Match the following types of reviews with their descriptions:
Match the following types of reviews with their descriptions:
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What is a key characteristic of narrative reviews?
What is a key characteristic of narrative reviews?
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Systematic reviews are helpful for obtaining initial baseline knowledge on a broad topic.
Systematic reviews are helpful for obtaining initial baseline knowledge on a broad topic.
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Why are systematic reviews important in the field of research?
Why are systematic reviews important in the field of research?
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What is the primary tool used to assess the risk of bias in systematic reviews of RCTs?
What is the primary tool used to assess the risk of bias in systematic reviews of RCTs?
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A p-value greater than 0.10 in Cochran's Q test indicates statistically significant heterogeneity.
A p-value greater than 0.10 in Cochran's Q test indicates statistically significant heterogeneity.
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Name a primary measure used when evaluating nominal data in systematic review.
Name a primary measure used when evaluating nominal data in systematic review.
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A p-value of ≤ 0.05 in assessing heterogeneity of studies in a forest plot indicates that publication bias is ______.
A p-value of ≤ 0.05 in assessing heterogeneity of studies in a forest plot indicates that publication bias is ______.
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Which of the following is NOT considered when assessing heterogeneity?
Which of the following is NOT considered when assessing heterogeneity?
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Which type of systematic review statistically combines data from previous studies?
Which type of systematic review statistically combines data from previous studies?
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A qualitative systematic review generates new data by statistically pooling results of previously conducted studies.
A qualitative systematic review generates new data by statistically pooling results of previously conducted studies.
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Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
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Systematic reviews are primarily helpful for providing a general overview of a topic.
Systematic reviews are primarily helpful for providing a general overview of a topic.
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What is a primary purpose of conducting a meta-analysis when previous studies have yielded contradictory results?
What is a primary purpose of conducting a meta-analysis when previous studies have yielded contradictory results?
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What type of plot is commonly used for displaying results in systematic reviews?
What type of plot is commonly used for displaying results in systematic reviews?
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A traditional meta-analysis is also referred to as a ______ analysis.
A traditional meta-analysis is also referred to as a ______ analysis.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is NOT a typical use for Meta-Analysis?
Which of the following is NOT a typical use for Meta-Analysis?
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The title of a systematic review should always state the key results of the review.
The title of a systematic review should always state the key results of the review.
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What type of analysis uses study level data to create pooled estimates for comparison of two groups?
What type of analysis uses study level data to create pooled estimates for comparison of two groups?
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Study Notes
Evaluating Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
- This presentation covers systematic reviews and meta-analyses, their types, and evaluation.
- It distinguishes between narrative, qualitative systematic, and quantitative systematic (meta-analysis) reviews.
- Objectives include differentiating review types, evaluating systematic review validity, interpreting meta-analysis results, describing heterogeneity and bias in meta-analyses, and understanding their role in research and practice.
- The outline for the presentation includes a brief review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis, review interpretation of results from meta-analysis, discussion of a published systemic review and meta-analysis, and additional readings.
Types of Reviews
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Narrative Review: A summary of past research lacking systematic methods, addresses broad questions, provides qualitative information, and is helpful for baseline knowledge.
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Qualitative Systematic Review: Summarizes studies using specific criteria to address a focused question without combining data statistically. It uses inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies.
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Quantitative Systematic Review (Meta-analysis): A summary of previously conducted studies combining (pooling) data; produces a single estimate of treatment effect; a primary literature review, and very useful for inconclusive or contradictory studies.
Meta-analysis
- Traditional Meta-Analysis (Pairwise): Most common type, aggregates study-level data; calculates pooled estimates to compare groups. Limitations include potential inconsistencies in how different studies handle and interpret data.
Systematic Reviews Comparison
| Feature | Narrative Review | Systematic Review | Meta-analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Question | Often broadly defined | Clearly defined and focused | Clearly defined and focused |
| Literature Search | Methods not explicitly described | Predefined strategy explicit & comprehensive | Predefined strategy explicit & comprehensive |
| Studies Included | Not usually explicitly described | Predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria | Predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria |
| Unpublished Literature | Not usually | Possibly | Possibly |
| Blinding of Reviewers | No | Yes | Yes |
| Data Analysis | Variable; no new data produced | Rigorous & objective; no new data produced | Rigorous & objective; new data produced |
| Results Evaluation | No | No | Yes |
| Type of Results | Qualitative | Qualitative | Quantitative |
Introduction to Systematic Review
- Systematic review: a qualitative process to identify and summarize existing studies addressing a specific question. Helps understand existing evidence, especially with a large amount of literature and inconsistent data findings.
- Meta-analysis: a quantitative synthesis of data from individual studies, typically identified from a systematic review. Aims to produce a single estimate of a treatment effect across included studies.
Evaluation of Systematic Reviews (Qualitative and Quantitative)
- Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA): Released in 2009, a guidance document describing reported information in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, using a 27-item checklist (multiple versions exist for different meta-analysis types). A flowchart helps illustrate how eligibility assessment works.
Evaluation of Systematic Reviews (Title, Abstract, Introduction)
- Title: Addresses the type of review, not the results.
- Abstract: Includes the objective, data sources, eligibility criteria, synthesis method, main results, and conclusions.
- Introduction: Provides a summary of prior data and the rationale for the current study; clearly states the study's objective.
Evaluation of Systematic Reviews (Methods and Results)
- Methods: Describe searching and inclusion methods, including databases used (MEDLINE, Embase, etc.), search terms, search for published and unpublished data sources which are sometimes called "grey literature," and avoiding publication bias.
- Results: Explain study eligibility criteria (PICOTS—population, interventions, comparators, outcomes, timing, setting), inclusion/exclusion criteria, and result presentation (e.g., PRISMA diagram, tables summarizing characteristics of studies).
Evaluation of Systematic Reviews (Methods and Results - Quality and Bias Assessment)
- Quality Assessment: Includes assessing the risk of bias of individual studies, best tool is the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, specifically for RCTs; six domains to assess five types of bias, consider the acceptable level of bias for each systematic review depending on topic, lower risk of bias=more confidence in results.
- Heterogeneity Assessment: Assess how similar studies are (eligibility criteria, measurements, and bias) using Cochran's Q test (chi-squared with p-values) or the I² statistic (range 0-100%) to assess the amount of magnitude of the heterogeneity.
- Publication Bias: Studies with positive results are more likely to be published than studies with negative results; funnel plots can assess publication bias. Plots show the estimate of the effect size to the weight of each study.
- Effect Models: Distinguishes between fixed and random effects models. Fixed effects model assumes little variation (lower risk for error); Random effects model recognizes random variation or bias exists among studies.
Summary
- Reviews are essential for summarizing literature and often use as a first step for developing guidelines.
- Meta-analyses combine data, strengthening statistical analysis to provide higher levels of evidence when pooling results.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental aspects of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, focusing on their types and evaluation methods. Participants will learn to differentiate between narrative, qualitative, and quantitative systematic reviews, as well as interpret the results of meta-analyses. Key concepts such as heterogeneity and bias will also be covered.
