Likelihood ratios & area under the curve
[learndash_course_progress] Understanding likelihood ratios is part of the mastery of a diagnostic work up. Likelihood ratio help explain the significance of each test we perform and the difference they make to our patients. The area under the curve is used during the
Diagnostic studies
[learndash_course_progress] Diagnosis and risk stratification defines what we do in EM the most which leads to diagnostic studies being of huge interest. In an ideal world a test would always identify the disease when it is present and always rule it
Being Aware of Outcomes
[learndash_course_progress] It might sound obvious, but the outcomes that researchers look to prove are hugely important. Thought needs to be given to their significance not just statistically but from a patient orientated point of view. A study will frequently look at several
Statistical methods
[learndash_course_progress] Statistics is the science of collecting and analysing numerical data in order to infer meaning from the data. Statisticians exist for a reason, statistics is complicated and attempting to understand the entire breadth of statistics would be unrealistic and near on
Further terminology to be aware of
[learndash_course_progress] There are frequently used terms when discussing critical appraisal, in this section we run through them which will help when it comes to later discussions and reviews of specific papers. This podcast covers Chance Bias Confounding Internal validity External validity Homogeneous
Hierarchy of evidence
[learndash_course_progress] As previously mentioned the study type can be placed into a hierarchy of evidence, not quite top trumps style, but a theoretical order or hierarchy that the evidence can be considered to exist in. This order is useful to acknowledge
Different categories of evidence
[learndash_course_progress] Research can take multiple forms. Each of the forms of evidence has potential strengths and weaknesses. In theory these forms of research can be arranged into a hierarchy or ladder, with a pecking order of the evidence. In order to understand
Different terminology used to describe research designs
[learndash_course_progress] Specific terminology is used in the description of research designs, in this brief section we look at those terms and the implications for your interpretation of research. This podcast covers Cross sectional Longitudinal Retrospective Prospective Qualitative data Quantitative data Once you've listened
Different forms of research
[learndash_course_progress] People will often quote different forms of research, each have common characteristics and as a result pearls and pitfalls to be aware of. In this section we run through those different forms which will act as a framework to build
How a paper is structured
[learndash_course_progress] Although there will be slight variation between journals, there is a pretty standard format and sequence to most published journals. Here we discuss that format and what you should look to find in each section. This podcast covers Authors Abstract Introduction