protected TestResult getTestResult(AnalysisItem analysisItem) {
   TestResult testResult = null;
   if (ResultType.DICTIONARY.matches(analysisItem.getResultType())) {
     testResult =
         testResultDAO.getTestResultsByTestAndDictonaryResult(
             analysisItem.getTestId(), analysisItem.getResult());
   } else {
     List<TestResult> testResultList =
         testResultDAO.getTestResultsByTest(analysisItem.getTestId());
     // we are assuming there is only one testResult for a numeric type
     // result
     if (!testResultList.isEmpty()) {
       testResult = testResultList.get(0);
     }
   }
   return testResult;
 }