Types of Research Studies
| Experimental studies: | |
| Randomized control trial (RCT) | can determine efficacy of treatment random |
| Non-random study | |
| Observational studies: | |
| Cohort study | risk factors/ outcomes longitudinal incidence |
| Cross-sectional study | prevalence snapshot assoc. between risk factors & disease used to generate hypothesis (Ho) & sometimes to test Ho |
| Case-control study | cases (disease positive) compared to controls (disease negative) looks at odds of exposure |
| Case report series | one person or small group of people detailed info used to generate Ho |
| Reviews: | |
| Meta-analysis | data from multiple studies combined and analyzed |
| Systematic reviews | |
| Experts: | |
| Expert opinions & panels |
Grades of evidence in research studies
Meta-analysis and systemic reviews are the research studies with the best evidence, grade 1 evidence. Randomized control trials follow closely, then the observational studies with cohort studies coming in first. When looking at research studies to evaluate the quality of evidence it is important to keep this in mind.
