The format of this assignment is short essay.
SECTION A: Systematic Review Study
Odeen, M; L.H Magnussen, S. Maeland, L. Larun, H.R. Eriksen & T.H. Tveito. 2012. Systematic Review of active workplace interventions to reduce sickness absence. Occupational Medicine, (35 marks)
1.Was the size of the sample (studies and subjects) sufficiently large to draw robust conclusions? Provide critical rationales for your answer. 5 marks
2. Did the researchers draw reasonable conclusions about the quality, quantity and consistency of evidence? Provide critical commentary to support your discussion. 10 marks
3.How would you assess the overall rigor of the systematic review? What would you recommend to improve its quality? Provide critical rationales for your answer. 10 marks
4.Critically compare, contrast and evaluate the use of systematic reviews and primary research in healthcare. 10 marks
SECTION B: Mixed-Method Study
Lemaire, J.B & J.E Wallace. Not all coping strategies are created equal: a mixed methods study exploring physicians’ self reported coping strategies. 2010. BMC Health Services Research 10, 208 (30 marks)
1.Critically comment on the adequacy of the researchers’ sampling strategy. What types of sampling biases might be of special concern? 5 marks
2.Identify one potential ethical issue in this study and offer critical suggestions as to how it could be effectively dealt with. 5 marks
3.Critically discuss ways in which this study achieved or failed to achieve the criteria for consistence and convergence. 10 marks
4. Critically appraise the extent to which the authors attempted to deal with “weakness minimization” in this study. 10 marks
SECTION C: Randomised Controlled Trial
Limm, H; H. Gundel, M. Heinmuller, B. Marten-Mittag, U.M Nater, J. Siegrist, P. Angerer. 2010. Stress management interventions in the workplace improve stress reactivity: a randomized controlled trial. BMJ (35 marks)
1.Critically comment on the adequacy of the researchers’ sampling plan and recruitment strategy. What types of sampling biases might be of special concern? 10 marks
2. Critically discuss ways in which this study achieved or failed to achieve the criteria for making causal inferences. 5 marks
3. What are the threats to the external validity of this study. Critically appraise these elements. 10 marks
4. Did the authors present a sufficient amount of information about their statistical tests? What additional information would have been helpful and why. Your answer should discuss the effectiveness of the presentation of information in the tables. 10 marks
