Systematic Review

What is a systematic review?

• A narrative summary of research studies

• A method to critically appraise and synthesise research evidence

• A single experimental study

• A theoretical paper

Answer explanation

A systematic review is a method to critically appraise and synthesise research evidence.

Which of the following is a key characteristic of a meta-analysis?

• It involves collecting new data from participants

• It combines the results of multiple studies to produce a single estimate

• It focuses on qualitative data only

• It is a type of case study

Answer explanation

A key characteristic of a meta-analysis is that it combines the results of multiple studies to produce a single estimate.

What is the primary purpose of a systematic review?

• To provide a detailed description of a single study

• To summarise the findings of multiple studies on a specific topic

• To develop new theories

• To conduct new experiments

Answer explanation

To summarise the findings of multiple studies on a specific topic

Which of the following is NOT typically included in a systematic review?

• A comprehensive literature search

• A critical appraisal of included studies

• A meta-analysis

• A personal opinion of the author

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'A personal opinion of the author' because systematic reviews are based on objective analysis of existing evidence, not personal opinions.

What is the main advantage of conducting a meta-analysis?

• It allows for the inclusion of non-peer-reviewed studies

• It increases the statistical power by combining data from multiple studies

• It eliminates the need for ethical approval

• It focuses on a single study's results

Answer explanation

The main advantage of conducting a meta-analysis is that it increases the statistical power by combining data from multiple studies.

In a systematic review, what is the purpose of a 'forest plot'?

• To display the geographical locations of the studies

• To visually summarise the results of the included studies

• To list the authors of the studies

• To show the timeline of the studies

Answer explanation

To visually summarise the results of the included studies

Which of the following is a common method for assessing the quality of studies in a systematic review?

• Random number generation

• Risk of bias assessment

• Personal interviews with authors

• Laboratory experiments

Answer explanation

Risk of bias assessment is a common method for assessing the quality of studies in a systematic review.

What does the term 'heterogeneity' refer to in the context of a meta-analysis?

• The similarity of study designs

• The variation in study outcomes

• The number of studies included

• The length of the studies

Answer explanation

The term 'heterogeneity' in the context of a meta-analysis refers to the variation in study outcomes, making it the correct choice.

Which of the following is a potential limitation of a systematic review?

• It can be completed very quickly

• It may include studies of varying quality

• It does not require a comprehensive literature search

• It only includes qualitative data

Answer explanation

It may include studies of varying quality

What is the first step in conducting a systematic review?

• Data extraction

• Literature search

• Formulating a research question

• Conducting a meta-analysis

Answer explanation

The first step in conducting a systematic review is formulating a research question to guide the review process and focus the search for relevant literature.