Performing a rapid critical appraisal helps evaluate a study for its worth by ensuring validity, meaningful data, and significance to the patient. Contributors Barb Wilson, Mary Jean Austria, and Tallie Casucci share a checklist of questions to complete a rapid critical appraisal efficiently and effectively. Show
Oct. 31, 2022 4 minutes Related Content
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Critical appraisal is the process of carefully and systematically examining research to judge its trustworthiness, and its value and relevance in a particular context. Amanda Burls, What is Critical Appraisal? Why is critical appraisal needed?Literature searches using databases like Medline or EMBASE often result in an overwhelming volume of results which can vary in quality. Similarly, those who browse medical literature for the purposes of CPD or in response to a clinical query will know that there are vast amounts of content available. Critical appraisal helps to reduce the burden and allow you to focus on articles that are relevant to the research question, and that can reliably support or refute its claims with high-quality evidence, or identify high-level research relevant to your practice. While most of us know not to believe everything we may read in a newspaper (or on Twitter), it’s also true that we cannot rely 100% on papers written in even the most prestigious academic journals. Different types of studies reported in the literature also have different strengths and weaknesses. Even if the contents of a research paper are reliable, it is sometimes difficult to find the specific information you are looking for and interpret it accurately. Critical appraisal allows us to:
Critical appraisal helps to separate what is significant from what is not. One way we use critical appraisal in the Library is to prioritise the most clinically relevant content for our Current Awareness Updates. How to critically appraise a paperThere are some general rules to help you, including a range of checklists highlighted at the end of this blog. Some key questions to consider when critically appraising a paper:
And an important consideration for surgeons:
At the end of the appraisal process you should have a better appreciation of how strong the evidence is, and ultimately whether or not you should apply it to your patients. Further resources:
Kirsty Morrison, Information Specialist What should be included in an article appraisal?How to critically appraise a paper. Is the study question relevant to my field?. Does the study add anything new to the evidence in my field?. What type of research question is being asked? ... . Was the study design appropriate for the research question? ... . Did the methodology address important potential sources of bias?. What are the three main factors of critical appraisal?Critical appraisal of RCTs: Factors to look for:
Data collection (bias). Sample size (power calculation). Presentation of results (clear, precise).
What are the four phases of critical appraisal?Critical appraisal-the heart of evidence-based practice-involves four phases: rapid critical appraisal, evaluation, synthesis, and recommendation.
Which is most important in a critical appraisal of a body of literature?Which is most important in a critical appraisal of a body of literature? Examining the quality and content of the resources to determine the credibility and validity of each. In a literature review, the author identifies themes present in articles under review and describes connections among these themes.
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