Jediný katalog výzkumných metod — zjistěte, jak každá funguje, kdy ji použít a co nedokáže.
A meta-analytic ecological study synthesises data from multiple populations or geographic units — rather than from individual patients — to estimate associations between exposures and health outcomes. By pooling aggregate-level statistics across studies or regions, it extends the reach of ecological reasoning to a wide
Meta-analytic nested case-control analysis combines the efficiency advantages of the nested case-control design — in which cases and matched controls are sampled from a defined cohort — with the statistical power and generalisability gained by pooling estimates from multiple such studies. This approach is especially va
A meta-analytic Phase II clinical trial integrates individual or aggregate data from multiple single-arm or small Phase II studies into a unified meta-analytic framework. Rather than relying on a single underpowered trial to screen for activity, this design pools evidence across comparable cohorts to obtain a more reli
A meta-analytic Phase III clinical trial is a systematic, quantitative synthesis of multiple Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the same intervention. By pooling confirmatory trial data under a pre-registered protocol, the approach yields more precise effect estimates, resolves conflicting findings
A meta-analytic Phase IV study pools and quantitatively synthesises data from multiple Phase IV (post-marketing) sources — including observational cohorts, registries, spontaneous adverse-event databases, and post-approval randomised trials — to produce a single, more precise estimate of a drug or device's real-world e
A meta-analytic randomized clinical trial is a formal evidence-synthesis method that identifies, appraises, and statistically combines the results of multiple randomized clinical trials addressing the same clinical question. By pooling trial-level data, it produces a single, more precise estimate of treatment effect an
Meta-analytic screening test evaluation is a quantitative evidence-synthesis approach that pools sensitivity, specificity, and related accuracy indices across multiple primary studies of the same screening or diagnostic test. It produces summary estimates of a test's ability to correctly identify disease-positive and d
Meta-analytic survival analysis is a quantitative synthesis method that pools hazard ratios and related time-to-event statistics from multiple independent studies to produce a single, more precise estimate of a treatment or exposure effect on survival outcomes such as overall survival, disease-free survival, or time to
The Mobile Health Engagement Scale measures the extent to which individuals engage with mobile health applications and digital behaviour change interventions. Developed through systematic review and meta-analysis by Perski and colleagues (2017), it captures both behavioural and psychological dimensions of engagement—fr
A multicenter case report is a structured clinical document describing one or a very small number of unusual patients observed across two or more independent healthcare institutions. By pooling observations from multiple sites, it overcomes the rarity barrier that prevents any single center from documenting an unusual
A multicenter case series is an observational descriptive study in which consecutive or selected patients sharing a defined clinical condition are enrolled and followed at two or more independent clinical sites. By pooling cases across institutions, researchers achieve larger sample sizes and greater demographic and cl
A multicenter case-control study is an observational design that identifies individuals who have developed a disease (cases) and disease-free comparators (controls) across two or more study sites simultaneously. By pooling recruitment across hospitals, clinics, or geographic regions, the design achieves larger sample s
The multicenter case-crossover design is an observational epidemiological method that investigates whether brief, transient exposures trigger acute health events by comparing each case's exposure just before the event to their own exposure during matched control periods — with data collected from two or more independen
A multicenter cohort study follows defined groups of participants at two or more geographically or institutionally distinct sites over time to estimate incidence, identify risk factors, and quantify associations between exposures and outcomes. By pooling data from multiple centers, it achieves statistical power and pop
A multicenter diagnostic accuracy study evaluates how well an index test (e.g., a biomarker, imaging modality, or clinical prediction rule) identifies a target condition when conducted across two or more independent clinical sites. By recruiting patients from diverse settings, it produces estimates of sensitivity, spec
Multicenter dose-response analysis estimates the quantitative shape of the relationship between a graded exposure and a health outcome by pooling data or effect estimates across two or more study centers. Using flexible regression tools such as restricted cubic splines or fractional polynomials within a two-stage meta-
A multicenter ecological study is an observational epidemiological design in which the units of analysis are groups — such as cities, regions, or countries — rather than individuals, and data are pooled from two or more distinct centers or geographic areas. The approach links aggregate exposure measures (e.g., average
A multicenter nested case-control study embeds a case-control analysis within two or more geographically or institutionally distinct prospective cohorts. Cases who develop the outcome of interest are identified across all participating sites, then matched to controls sampled from the same risk sets, enabling pooled est
A multicenter Phase I clinical trial is the first systematic administration of an investigational agent to humans, conducted simultaneously across two or more clinical sites. Its primary objectives are to characterize the safety and tolerability profile of the intervention, determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), a
A multicenter phase II clinical trial is an interventional study conducted at two or more independent clinical sites to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of a new treatment in a defined patient population, following demonstrated tolerability in phase I. By pooling patients across sites, the design achieves t
A multicenter Phase III clinical trial is the definitive confirmatory study that tests whether a new intervention produces a clinically meaningful benefit over a comparator in a large, representative patient population enrolled at two or more independent research sites. It is the primary evidence basis for regulatory a
A multicenter Phase IV study is a post-marketing surveillance investigation conducted simultaneously at two or more clinical or research sites after a drug, device, or intervention has received regulatory approval. By pooling real-world data from diverse patient populations and geographic regions, it detects rare adver
A multicenter randomized clinical trial (RCT) is an experimental study in which eligible participants are randomly assigned to intervention or control arms simultaneously across two or more clinical sites. By combining the rigor of randomization with enrollment from geographically or institutionally diverse centers, th
A multicenter screening test evaluation measures the diagnostic accuracy of a screening test — its sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and ROC-curve area — by enrolling participants across two or more independent clinical sites. Conducting the study at multiple centers broadens the patient spectrum, tests gene
The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) is an 18-item measure developed by Wallston, Wallston, and DeVellis (1978) to assess individual differences in health-related beliefs about the locus of control—that is, to whom or what people attribute responsibility for their health. The MHLC measures three di
The NCCS is a multidimensional self-assessment and clinician-rated instrument measuring nursing students' perceived and observed clinical competence across technical, interpersonal, and cognitive domains. Developed by Walt and van der Walt in 2009, the scale evaluates students' mastery of fundamental nursing skills, cr
A nested case-control study is an efficient observational design embedded within a defined cohort. For each participant who develops the outcome of interest (a case), a small number of matched controls are sampled from those still at risk at the same point in time. This density-sampling strategy yields odds ratios that
The NLAI is a 26-item validated instrument measuring nutrition literacy—the ability to understand nutrition information and use it to make healthy food choices. Developed by Diamond and refined through validation studies by Rothman and colleagues, the NLAI evaluates comprehension of nutrition labels, understanding of p
The Nomophobia Questionnaire measures 'nomophobia'—the fear of being without one's mobile phone—a contemporary form of technology-related psychological distress emerging with smartphone ubiquity. Developed by Yildirim and Correia (2015), the 20-item NMP-Q captures anxiety, compulsive checking, communication apprehensio
Normalization Process Theory (NPT) is a sociological framework developed by Carl May and colleagues to explain how new interventions become routinely embedded ('normalized') in organizational and clinical practice. Unlike efficiency-focused frameworks that measure adoption and fidelity, NPT explains the social processe
Normalization Process Theory (NPT) is a framework developed by May, Murray, and colleagues (2009) to explain how new practices, technologies, and innovations become embedded and sustained in everyday organizational and clinical work. Rather than viewing implementation as a one-time adoption event, NPT conceptualizes im
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is a single-item, self-report measure of pain intensity developed by Jensen and colleagues in 1986. Patients rate their pain on an 11-point scale (0-10) where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. The NRS is among the most widely used pain severity measures in
The Online Social Support Scale measures the perceived availability and quality of emotional, informational, and practical support received through digital channels—social media, online communities, forums, messaging apps, and digital platforms. Developed by Vilelas and Tomás (2011) for patients with chronic illness an
The Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) is a 12-item self-report measure that assesses organizational readiness to implement evidence-based practices and innovations. Developed by Shea and colleagues in 2014, the ORIC measures two critical dimensions of organizational readiness: Change Commitment (t
The Oxford Hip Score (OHS) is a brief, validated self-report questionnaire developed by Murray and colleagues at the University of Oxford beginning in 1996 to measure outcomes following hip replacement surgery. The OHS comprises 12 items assessing hip pain, hip-related functional limitations, and quality of life in pat
The Oxford Knee Score (OKS) is a brief, validated self-report questionnaire developed by Murray and colleagues at the University of Oxford in 1998 to measure outcomes following knee replacement surgery. The OKS comprises 12 items assessing knee pain, knee-related functional limitations, and quality of life in patients
The Pandemic Fatigue Scale (PFS) measures psychological exhaustion and reduced motivation to maintain protective behaviors during prolonged pandemics. Developed by Restrepo and colleagues, it captures the phenomenon whereby individuals progressively abandon preventive measures (distancing, mask-wearing, testing) despit
The Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) is a brief screening instrument assessing grief reactions specific to death losses during COVID-19. Developed by Zisook and colleagues in 2021, it adapts the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) items to pandemic bereavement contexts, measuring both typical grief responses and complicated
The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) is a 13-item self-report questionnaire developed by Hibbard and colleagues (2004) to assess the degree to which patients understand their role in managing their health, have confidence in their ability to engage in self-care, and take action to manage their health and prevent diseas
The Patient Engagement Scale measures the degree to which patients take active responsibility for managing their health and healthcare. Developed by Hibbard and colleagues (2004), the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) operationalizes engagement as a progression from awareness of health issues through confident self-mana
Discrete Event Simulation (DES) is a computational technique that models the movement of patients through healthcare facilities by simulating individual patient journeys and interactions with resources (staff, beds, equipment). DES allows realistic representation of complex, stochastic healthcare processes and supports
The Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) is an ultra-brief, validated two-item screening instrument developed by Kroenke and colleagues in 2003 to identify major depression in primary care and medical populations. The PHQ-2 assesses the two cardinal symptoms of depression (depressed mood and anhedonia) over the past
The Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) framework is a methodological approach for systematically collecting, analyzing, and acting on patient feedback about healthcare experiences. Unlike HCAHPS, which is a specific, standardized survey, PREM is a flexible framework that can be adapted to different care setting
The Patient Safety Climate Scale (PSCS) is a focused, brief assessment tool designed to measure staff perceptions of the safety climate within a specific healthcare unit or department. Unlike broader safety culture instruments, the PSCS concentrates on the immediate work environment—how safety is prioritized at the tea
The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) is a psychometrically validated self-report instrument developed by Ware and colleagues beginning in 1983 to measure patient satisfaction with medical care. The PSQ-18, a shortened version, comprises 18 items assessing general dimensions of healthcare satisfaction including
The PDQ-39 is the most widely used patient-reported outcome measure for Parkinson's disease quality of life. Developed by Crispin Jenkinson and colleagues in 1997, this 39-item self-report questionnaire comprehensively assesses how Parkinson's symptoms affect daily functioning, emotional well-being, stigma, social supp
The pharmacokinetic compartment model represents the body as one or more hypothetical compartments interconnected by first-order rate processes, describing how a drug is absorbed, distributed, and eliminated over time. Systematized by Gibaldi and Perrier in 1982, these models use ordinary differential equations to char
Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR) and Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR) are statistical methods for detecting safety signals in spontaneous adverse event reporting databases. Developed and formalized by researchers in the early 2000s, these measures identify drug-adverse event associations that warrant further investigation.
A Phase I clinical trial is the first stage of human testing for a new drug, biologic, or intervention. Its primary objective is to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) rather than therapeutic efficacy. Small cohorts of participants — typically healthy volunteers or patients w
A Phase II clinical trial is the second stage in the drug or intervention development pipeline, conducted after Phase I safety testing. Its primary goal is to assess whether the intervention shows preliminary efficacy signals in a relevant patient population at the dose established in Phase I, while continuing to chara
A Phase III clinical trial is a large-scale, confirmatory randomised controlled trial designed to establish the efficacy and safety of an intervention in the target patient population before regulatory submission. It builds on the signal identified in Phase II, tests the intervention at its proposed dose under controll
A Phase IV study is a post-marketing surveillance study conducted after a drug, device, or intervention has received regulatory approval. Its primary purpose is to monitor long-term safety, detect rare adverse events, assess effectiveness in routine clinical practice, and explore new indications or populations not adeq
The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), developed by Kendzierski and DeCarlo (1991), is a 16-item measure of the positive affective responses and enjoyment experienced during or after physical activity. Based on the premise that enjoyment is a powerful predictor of exercise adherence and intrinsic motivation, PA
The PIS is a self-report questionnaire measuring healthcare students' sense of professional identity, belonging, and commitment to their chosen discipline. Developed by Adams and colleagues in 2006, the PIS assesses the degree to which students have internalized professional roles, values, behaviors, and career commitm
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a comprehensive self-report questionnaire developed by Buysse and colleagues in 1989 to assess sleep quality and sleep disturbances. The PSQI comprises 19 items aggregated into seven components that evaluate sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfu
The Perceived Organizational Readiness for Assisting the System (PORAS) is a 19-item self-report measure developed by Helfrich and colleagues to assess organizational readiness to implement health information technology systems and other healthcare innovations. Grounded in Weiner's theory of organizational readiness fo
The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) is a 31-item instrument designed to measure nurses' perceptions of their practice environment, particularly factors related to autonomy, control over practice, and organizational support. Developed by Lake in 2002 and based on foundational work by Krame
A pragmatic case series is an observational study that documents consecutive or purposively selected patients receiving a clinical intervention or presenting with a condition under routine, real-world practice conditions — without randomization, a control group, or the highly controlled eligibility criteria characteris
A pragmatic case-control study is an observational design that compares individuals who have developed a disease or outcome (cases) with those who have not (controls), using data collected under routine real-world conditions rather than strictly controlled experimental settings. Exposure histories are reconstructed fro
A pragmatic cross-sectional epidemiological study measures the prevalence of exposures, outcomes, and risk factors in a defined population at a single point in time, conducted under real-world conditions rather than tightly controlled experimental settings. It provides a snapshot of the health status of a community or