HC RES QUIZ 1 Key Terms

Health Informatics

Interprofessional field that studies and peruses the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, decision making, motivated by efforts to improve human health

Information Literacy

The ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Using the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to make healthcare decisions

Scientific Method

A systematic process of observation, hypothesis, testing, analysis, and conclusion

Evidence Hierarchy Definition

Ranking of evidence based on reliability and risk of bias, from strongest to weakest (pyramid)

Evidence Hierarchy Order

1.) Clinical Practice Guidelines
2.) Meta-Analysis and Systematic Reviews
3.) RCTs
4.) Cohort Studies
5.) Case Control Studies
6.) Case Report or Case Series
7.) Animal and Laboratory Studies

Peer Reviewed

Evaluated by experts in the field before publication to ensure quality and accuracy

Primary Source

Original research that presents new data or findings

Secondary Source

Analyzes, summarizes, or interprets primary research

Tertiary Source

Compiles information from primary and secondary sources

Boolean Operators

Words used in database searches: AND, OR, NOT

Search Strings

Combinations of keywords and operators used to search databases

Iterative Searching

Refining and repeating searches to improve results

Experimental Design

The planned structure of a research study used to test a hypothesis

RCT (Randomized Controlled Trial)

An experiment where participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups

Systematic Review

A structured review that collects and critically evaluates all relevant studies on a question

Meta-Analysis

A statistical technique that combines data from multiple studies

Quantitative Research

Research that collects and analyzes numerical data

Qualitative Research

Research that explores experiences, meanings, opinions, and behaviors

Acronym that refers to the parts of a scientific paper

IMRaD

Title

Core elements of the paper in a phrase

Abstract

Summary of the major elements of the paper

Introduction/Background

Context and study rationale

Methods

Research procedures are described

Results

Summary of findings

Discussion/Conclusion

Interpretation/analysis of the findings

References

List of cited works, credit

MEDLINE

Large biomedical literature database maintained by the National Library of Medicine

CINAHL

Database specializing in nursing and allied health literature

PEDro

Database of evidence-based physiotherapy research and clinical trials

Cochrane

Organization/database known for high-quality systematic reviews

NLM

National Library of Medicine, world’s largest biomedical library and creator of MEDLINE/PubMed

UpToDate

Clinical decision-support resource that summarizes current medical evidence

AMA Style

Citation format used in medicine; uses numbered references in the text

MeSH Terms

Standardized MEdical Subject Headings used to improve database searching

PICO Question

Clinical research framework: Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome

Background Question

Asks for general knowledge about a condition or concept

“What is hypertension?”

Foreground Question

Asks a specific clinical question that compares interventions, tests, or outcomes

“In adults with hypertension, does exercise lower blood pressure more than medication?”

Conclusion

Clear and concise summary to wrap up, why do these findings matter?