Which items are considered secondary analyses?

Which items are considered secondary analyses?

• A. Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines
• B. Primary randomized trials
• C. Case reports
• D. In vitro studies

Answer: (A)

Secondary analyses are sources that synthesize or interpret existing research rather than presenting new data from a single study. Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines fit this description because each aggregates, appraises, or translates findings from multiple primary studies to guide practice. Narrative reviews provide a qualitative synthesis of the literature; systematic reviews apply explicit methods to identify and appraise all relevant studies; meta-analyses statistically combine results from included studies; and clinical practice guidelines translate the assembled evidence into actionable recommendations. In contrast, primary randomized trials generate new data by testing interventions in participants; case reports describe observations from individual patients; and in vitro studies are laboratory experiments not involving patients. Therefore, these listed items are secondary analyses.

Secondary analyses are sources that synthesize or interpret existing research rather than presenting new data from a single study. Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical practice guidelines fit this description because each aggregates, appraises, or translates findings from multiple primary studies to guide practice. Narrative reviews provide a qualitative synthesis of the literature; systematic reviews apply explicit methods to identify and appraise all relevant studies; meta-analyses statistically combine results from included studies; and clinical practice guidelines translate the assembled evidence into actionable recommendations. In contrast, primary randomized trials generate new data by testing interventions in participants; case reports describe observations from individual patients; and in vitro studies are laboratory experiments not involving patients. Therefore, these listed items are secondary analyses.