Studying a Study and Testing a Test

by Riegelman, Richard K.; Hirsch, Robert P.

• ISBN13: 9780316745215
• ISBN10: 0316745219
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-01-01
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co

Summary

Now in its Fourth Edition, this best-selling text presents a step-by-step approach to critical and efficient reading of the health research literature. Health care professionals will learn how to evaluate clinical studies, identify flaws in study design, understand the significance of statistics, and apply the evidence from clinical research in practice. A new section in this edition -- Considering Costs and Evaluating Effectiveness -- offers guidance in reading articles on decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Throughout the text are unique learning aids such as checklists of questions to ask, scenarios illustrating study design errors, flaw-catching exercises, and flowcharts for assessing statistical methods.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Studying a Study
Introduction and Sample Test	p. 3
Uniform Frameworks	p. 5
Study Design	p. 13
Assignment	p. 16
Assessment	p. 21
Analysis	p. 26
Interpretation	p. 42
Extrapolation	p. 49
Randomized Clinical Trials	p. 57
Database Research: Nonconcurrent Cohort Studies	p. 76
Meta-Analysis	p. 85
Studying a Study: Questions to Ask and Flaw-Catching Exercises	p. 100
Testing a Test
Introduction to Testing a Test	p. 127
Variability of the Test	p. 130
Reference Interval	p. 133
Defining Disease: The Gold Standard	p. 142
Diagnostic Performance of Tests	p. 144
Comparing Tests	p. 153
Screening	p. 158
Testing a Test: Questions to Ask and Flaw-Catching Exercises	p. 166
Rating a Rate
Introduction to Rates	p. 179
Sampling of Rates	p. 184
Standardization of Rates	p. 188
Sources of Differences in Rates	p. 194
Putting It Together: Measuring Life Expectancy	p. 200
Rating a Rate: Questions to Ask and Flaw-Catching Exercises	p. 206
Considering Costs and Evaluating Effectiveness
Introduction and Study Design of Decision-Making Investigations	p. 217
Assignment	p. 227
Assessment	p. 235
Analysis	p. 240
Interpretation	p. 249
Extrapolation	p. 256
Decision-Making Investigations: Questions to Ask and Flaw-Catching Exercises	p. 262
Selecting a Statistic
Basic Principles	p. 275
Univariable Analyses	p. 285
Bivariable Analyses	p. 292
Multivariable Analyses	p. 301
Flowchart Summary	p. 313
Glossary	p. 321
Subject Index	p. 343
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