Evidence Informed Practice for RMTs

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Questions and Answers

What is the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable?

The independent variable influences the dependent variable. (correct)

The dependent variable causes changes in the independent variable.

The independent variable is what is being measured.

The dependent variable is a constant throughout the experiment.

Which type of study design uses the same subjects across all groups?

Between-subjects design

Post-test only design

Confounding design

Within-subjects design (correct)

What is a confounding variable?

A variable that is controlled to reduce bias.

A variable that is expected to be significant in the study.

A variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables. (correct)

A variable that does not affect the dependent variable.

Which of the following describes internal validity?

The degree to which the experiment measures what it intends to measure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a type of experiment design based on subject assignment?

Cross-sectional design Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of a before/after study without a control group?

It may overestimate the treatment effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of a case report?

It can serve as a basis for new hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

Which study type combines individual case studies to examine similar patients?

Case series Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant drawback of correlation studies?

They do not prove cause and effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason that before/after studies are considered strong when they include a control group?

They reduce potential biases related to data collection. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of an anecdote in research?

It lacks enough rationale and evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of case series studies?

They offer thorough evidence of causation. Signup and view all the answers

What often affects the reliability of cohort studies over time?

Attrition due to participant drop-out. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of quantitative methods in research?

They assume there is a uniform reality that can be measured numerically. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative methods?

They collect data through observations and interviews. Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of evidence-informed practice (EIP) for registered massage therapists (RMTs)?

It increases the likelihood of extended benefits insurance support. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the nature of descriptive studies?

They describe a population without extrapolating beyond that group. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to account for confounding variables in quantitative research?

To ensure the reproducibility of outcomes is possible. Signup and view all the answers

What role does qualitative analysis often play in research?

It helps to develop specific and quantifiable hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research typically utilizes quantitative methods more frequently in healthcare?

Experimental studies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of qualitative methods in research?

They can be subjective and depend on the observer’s influence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of descriptive studies?

To form a hypothesis based on observations Signup and view all the answers

How do explanatory studies differ from descriptive studies?

They test a hypothesis and provide stronger evidence for cause and effect Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of cohort studies?

They are longitudinal and prospective in nature Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern with meta-analysis studies?

They may suffer from publication bias Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about randomized controlled trials (RCTs)?

They involve the random assignment of participants to different groups Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes systematic reviews from meta-analyses?

Systematic reviews include non-published studies to reduce bias Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence do observational studies like case-control studies provide?

Weaker evidence due to their retrospective nature Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of qualitative studies?

They explore complex phenomena with detailed descriptions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of statistical studies, what is meant by the term 'weight of evidence'?

Multiple studies with consistent results support a conclusion Signup and view all the answers

In a research article, what is the purpose of the Methods section?

To provide a detailed description of how the study was conducted. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Results section of a research article?

To present the data collected during the study in a neutral and objective manner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a hypothesis in a research study?

To propose a testable prediction about the relationship between variables. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of the independent variable in a research hypothesis?

The independent variable is the factor that is manipulated or changed by the researcher. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic that distinguishes a hypothesis from a theory?

A hypothesis is a testable prediction that can be supported or refuted by data, while a theory is a well-established explanation that has been repeatedly validated by scientific evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a researcher when conducting a study that involves testing a hypothesis?

To provide evidence that supports or refutes the hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for research articles to include a detailed literature review?

Provide a comprehensive overview of the research topic, highlighting the current state of knowledge and identifying research gaps. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between a null hypothesis and an alternate hypothesis?

The null hypothesis is a statement of no effect or no difference, while the alternate hypothesis proposes an effect or a difference. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evidence Informed Practice (EIP)

EIP is a triad of best available research evidence, professional/clinical expertise, and client values & individualized needs
Core principles of EIP highlight that better research evidence leads to more confident clinical decisions, but evidence alone isn't sufficient
EIP improves client care

Why EIP Matters to RMTs

Following evidence-informed/evidence-based standards of care will lead to more effective treatments
RMTs will be better supported by extended benefits insurance plans
Standardization among RMTs will increase
RMTs will be more reputable members of the healthcare community

Quantitative vs Qualitative Methods

Quantitative methods assume a uniform reality that can be observed, measured, and expressed in numbers. It assumes a linear cause & effect relationship.
Quantitative methods use hypotheses and numbers to summarize findings. Researchers manipulate treatment and control for other variables
Qualitative methods assume that observations affect what is being observed and consider any description to be one of many realities. It does not assume a linear cause & effect relationship.
Qualitative data is collected through interviews, observations, and documents

Quantitative vs Qualitative Methods (page 5)

Quantitative methods rely on the assumption of a uniform reality
Quantitative methods assume linear cause and effect where a particular treatment causes a specific outcome
Researchers test hypotheses using numbers and control as much of the environment and participants as possible.
The primary aim is to rule out rival explanations (confounding variables).
Outcomes should be reproducible if the probability of chance is low

Quantitative vs Qualitative Methods (page 6)

Qualitative methods assume that observation affects what's being observed. No singular reality exists
Qualitative methods do not presume a linear cause-and-effect relationship
Multiple factors can influence an outcome and importance is on observing in a natural setting

Quantitative vs Qualitative Methods (page 7)

Both quantitative and qualitative methods have limitations but are useful parts of scientific research
Both methods assess study reliability and validity
Some studies use both methods (qualitative & quantitative)
Qualitative methods aid in developing quantifiable hypotheses and help illuminate patterns.
Most healthcare research utilizes quantitative methods

Descriptive vs Explanatory Studies

Descriptive studies describe a group, population, or sample without testing a theory
Descriptive studies help researchers set up for hypothesis testing
Explanatory studies test hypotheses that can be generalized about a population based on a studied sample

Descriptive vs Explanatory Studies (page 9)

Descriptive studies formulate hypotheses and identify cause and effect relationships which are aided by observations in combination with experimental and observational findings
Descriptive studies serve as a good foundation for hypothesis-based information and help to develop rigorous designs of explanatory studies

Descriptive vs Explanatory Studies (page 10)

Explanatory studies test hypotheses - a stronger evidence base that clarifies cause and effect
This includes disease prevalence and treatment efficacy
Types include observational (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort studies), and experimental (before and after, clinical trials)

Study Designs

Study designs, in order of increasing rigor, include background information, expert opinion, non-EBM guidelines, individual case reports, case series, cohort studies, non-randomized controlled trials, randomized controlled trials, critically appraised literature, evidence-based guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Types of Studies (page 12)

Meta-analysis groups studies focused on a certain topic based on criteria from one or more databases
Meta-analysis minimizes publication bias and helps estimate treatment effects by settling contradictory/inconclusive data
Well-defined criteria reduces the selection bias

Types of Studies (page 13)

Systematic reviews incorporate non-published studies for a broader, more inclusive evidence base
Systematic reviews assess study validity individually
Systematic reviews address a wide range of evidence when determining inclusion criteria
Cochrane is helpful for systematic reviews

Types of Studies (page 14)

RCTs, also called randomized trials or clinical trials, provide the strongest cause and effect evidence
RCTs are powerful because the participants are randomly assigned to treatment/control groups

Types of Studies (page 15)

Cohort studies examine relationships between treatment and outcome (typically over a long period) by following a set of participants
Cohort studies attempt to establish relationships between treatment and outcome over time.
Cohort studies have strengths in observational evidence but come with the expensive and time-consuming disadvantage of length

Types of Studies (page 16)

Before/after studies are a type of case series that track treatment effect
Lack a control group potentially overestimating the efficacy, and is subjective because of potentially overreporting good outcomes

Types of Studies (page 17)

Case reports describe events in a single patient's care
Case reports can be used to develop new hypotheses and describe adverse reactions
Case series involve combining individual case studies of similar patients

Types of Studies (page 18)

Anecdotes are brief accounts of incidents that aren't evidence-based due to lack of proper rationale, detail, or empirical testing

Types of Studies (page 19)

Correlation studies examine the association between exposures and outcomes using existing data and a population survey

Components of a Research Article (page 20)

Abstracts summarize background, purpose, design, methods, results, conclusions, and discussion
Introductions detail the purpose, importance, and research question(s), and include a relevant literature review
Methods section provide detailed information on the research design's execution and should allow readers to replicate the study

Components of a Research Article (page 21)

Results describe the data analysis (qualitative or quantitative).
Conclusions/discussion interpret the results in relation to the research question and might include expert opinions
References cite other relevant sources

Hypothesis (page 22)

Hypotheses are testable statements about how things work; they represent educated guesses
A good hypothesis is measurable and has an independent (changeable) and dependent (measured) variable

Hypothesis vs Null Hypothesis (page 23)

The null hypothesis assumes no relationship between variables
Example null hypotheses are: cats show no preference for food based on shape, plant growth is not affected by light color, and age has no effect on musical ability

Hypothesis vs Null Hypothesis (page 24)

The alternative hypothesis is what the researcher aims to prove; the alternate hypothesis is the opposite of the null hypothesis
The null hypothesis is what the researcher aims to disprove, nullify, or reject; it is the opposite of the alternative hypothesis

Variables (page 25)

Independent variables are the cause or influencer being manipulated
Dependent variables are the changes or effects measured in the study
Confounding variables are extraneous variables that can influence a dependent variable

Effect of Bio-fertilizer 'x' on Plant growth (page 26)

Alternative hypothesis: The application of biofertilizer increases plant growth
Null Hypothesis: The application of biofertilizer does not increase plant growth

Independent, Dependent, Controlled Variables (page 27)

Independent variable: the manipulated variable
Dependent variable: the measured outcome
Controlled variable: factors kept constant across all groups or conditions

Types of Experiment Designs (page 28)

Experiment designs are classified by the number of independent variables (simple vs complex).
Subject assignment in research experiments includes between-subjects (different people in each condition) and within-subjects (same people in each condition) designs.

Types of Experiment Designs (page 29)

Between-subjects: each participant in one and only one condition
Within-subjects: all participants participate in all conditions

Class #2 (page 30)

Class topics include statistics, internal versus external validity, ethics and peer review, and critiquing an article.

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Explore the significance of evidence-informed practice (EIP) for registered massage therapists (RMTs). This quiz covers the core principles of EIP, the importance of standardization in treatment, and the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods. Enhance your understanding of how EIP improves client care and supports clinical decision-making.