American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

A case report is considered the worst type of study in terms of reliability due to its inherent limitations. Case reports typically focus on a singular instance or a small number of cases, detailing subjective observations, treatment outcomes, and unique patient characteristics. This specific and narrow focus restricts the ability to generalize findings to a larger population or draw robust conclusions about cause-and-effect relationships.

Furthermore, case reports often lack control groups, randomization, and rigorous scientific methodology, which diminishes their statistical power and reliability. They may provide initial insights or highlight unusual cases but are generally viewed as anecdotal evidence rather than strong, empirical research. This contrasts with other study designs, which utilize more comprehensive methodologies and larger sample sizes to examine relationships between variables and deliver findings that are more generalizable to the population at large.