Evidence-Based Practice & Research Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real CHC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Evidence-Based Practice & Research Methods flashcards as text
In healthcare construction research, what does a 'systematic review' differ from a 'narrative review' in?
Answer: Systematic reviews use predefined protocols and reproducible search strategies
Systematic reviews follow a rigorous, pre-specified protocol with comprehensive and reproducible literature searches, unlike informal narrative reviews.
A CHC project manager wants to evaluate whether single-corridor ICU layouts reduce infection rates compared to double-corridor layouts. Which study design provides the strongest causal evidence?
Answer: Randomized controlled trial or quasi-experimental design
Randomized or quasi-experimental designs control for confounding variables and provide the strongest causal inference for comparing interventions.
When applying evidence to a healthcare construction project, 'external validity' refers to:
Answer: Whether the study's findings can be generalized to other settings or populations
External validity (generalizability) determines whether research findings can be applied to contexts beyond the original study population.
Which statistical measure is most useful when combining results from multiple studies in a meta-analysis of healthcare facility outcomes?
Answer: Pooled effect size with confidence intervals
Meta-analysis produces a pooled effect size with confidence intervals, quantifying the combined evidence across studies with appropriate uncertainty estimates.
A hospital system adopts HCAI prevention guidelines based on research conducted in European hospitals. Before applying these guidelines to a U.S. project, the CHC professional should primarily assess:
Answer: Differences in patient populations, building codes, and healthcare delivery models
Contextual differences in patient demographics, regulatory requirements, and care delivery can affect the applicability of foreign research to U.S. healthcare construction.
In the FGI Guidelines development process, evidence from post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) primarily contributes to:
Answer: Real-world performance data that informs future guideline revisions
POEs collect real-world data on how completed facilities perform, which feeds back into evidence-based guideline updates.
Which of the following best describes 'publication bias' and why it matters in healthcare construction evidence reviews?
Answer: Studies with positive or statistically significant results are more likely to be published, skewing the evidence base
Publication bias inflates apparent effectiveness of interventions because null or negative findings are underreported, distorting the evidence base.