Research Vocabulary

#381

I-squared statistic

Example sentences

1. The I-squared statistic showed how different the study results were.
2. A high I-squared statistic may show important heterogeneity.
3. The meta-analysis reported the I-squared statistic beside the combined effect.

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#382

fixed-effect model

Example sentences

1. The fixed-effect model assumes that the studies estimate one common effect.
2. The team used a fixed-effect model when heterogeneity was low.
3. The report compares the fixed-effect model with the random-effects model.

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#383

random-effects model

Example sentences

1. The random-effects model allows the true effect to differ across studies.
2. The team used a random-effects model because the studies were diverse.
3. The random-effects model produced a wider confidence interval.

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#384

subgroup analysis

Example sentences

1. The subgroup analysis compared results for adults and children.
2. The team planned the subgroup analysis before examining the data.
3. A subgroup analysis may help explain differences between studies.

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#385

sensitivity analysis

Example sentences

1. The sensitivity analysis checked whether the conclusion changed under different decisions.
2. The team repeated the analysis without high-risk studies as a sensitivity analysis.
3. The main finding remained stable in the sensitivity analysis.

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#386

meta-regression

Example sentences

1. Meta-regression examined whether study features explained differences in effect size.
2. The team used meta-regression to study the role of participant age.
3. The meta-regression was interpreted carefully because few studies were available.

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#387

publication bias

Example sentences

1. Publication bias can occur when positive studies are easier to publish.
2. The reviewers checked for publication bias with a funnel plot.
3. Publication bias may make a treatment appear more effective.

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#388

small-study effects

Example sentences

1. Small-study effects appeared when smaller studies reported larger benefits.
2. The reviewers explored small-study effects in a sensitivity analysis.
3. Small-study effects may be linked to publication bias or weak methods.

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#389

certainty of evidence

Example sentences

1. Certainty of evidence shows how confident reviewers are in a finding.
2. The team rated the certainty of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low.
3. Risk of bias and imprecision lowered the certainty of evidence.

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#390

GRADE

Example sentences

1. The review team used GRADE to judge certainty in the evidence.
2. GRADE considers problems such as bias and imprecision.
3. The summary table reports the final GRADE level for each outcome.

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#391

evidence profile

Example sentences

1. The evidence profile shows the effect estimates and certainty ratings for each outcome.
2. The team prepared an evidence profile using GRADE.
3. Readers used the evidence profile to understand the main judgments.

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#392

summary of findings table

Example sentences

1. The summary of findings table presents the most important review results.
2. The summary of findings table includes effect sizes and certainty ratings.
3. The team wrote plain-language notes for the summary of findings table.

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#393

direct evidence

Example sentences

1. Direct evidence closely matches the population, intervention, and outcome in the question.
2. The recommendation was stronger because direct evidence was available.
3. The reviewers preferred direct evidence for the main conclusion.

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#394

indirect evidence

Example sentences

1. Indirect evidence came from a different population than the review question.
2. The team used indirect evidence because no direct study was available.
3. Indirect evidence reduced confidence in the final conclusion.

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#395

consistency

Example sentences

1. Consistency was high because most studies showed a similar effect.
2. The reviewers examined consistency across settings and study designs.
3. Strong consistency increased confidence in the conclusion.

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#396

inconsistency

Example sentences

1. Inconsistency appeared because the studies reported very different results.
2. The team explored reasons for inconsistency between the studies.
3. Unexplained inconsistency lowered certainty in the evidence.

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#397

precision

Example sentences

1. Precision was high because the confidence interval was narrow.
2. A larger sample can improve precision.
3. The reviewers considered precision when rating the evidence.

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#398

imprecision

Example sentences

1. Imprecision was serious because the confidence interval was very wide.
2. A small sample increased imprecision in the estimate.
3. The reviewers lowered certainty because of imprecision.

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#399

applicability

Example sentences

1. The team considered applicability to local hospitals before making a recommendation.
2. Applicability may be limited when studies come from very different settings.
3. The report explains the applicability of the findings to older adults.

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#400

evidence-based practice

Example sentences

1. Evidence-based practice combines research evidence with professional experience.
2. The hospital uses evidence-based practice to improve patient care.
3. Training helped staff apply evidence-based practice in daily work.

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