MRCGP AKT Category: Evidence Based Practice, Research And Sharing Knowledge

AKT-1890

A study was conducted to investigate whether individuals with lower socioeconomic status were at a higher risk of developing gastric cancer. The study tracked participants for 35 years and discovered that those with lower socioeconomic status had a significantly greater likelihood of developing gastric cancer. The researchers concluded that there was a strong correlation between lower socioeconomic status and gastric cancer development. However, an independent committee reviewing the study later discovered that individuals with lower socioeconomic status were also more likely to smoke.

What type of potential bias is likely to be present in this study design?

AKT-1891

You review a study measuring a patient’s age against their diastolic blood pressure. The data is normally distributed and you wish to determine the degree of correlation between these two factors.

What is the most appropriate significance test for this study?

AKT-1892

A researcher is conducting a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials into the use of a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The studies compare the use of the drug and standard care against a placebo and standard care.

She has plotted the studies on an axis with the treatment effect (change in cognitive function score) on the horizontal axis and the standard error of the effect estimate on the vertical axis.

What type of plot has been created?