Critical appraisal is the process of carefully and systematically examining research to judge its trustworthiness, its value and relevance in a particular context (Burls, 2009).
Why do we need to critically appraise the literature?
We do this to:
(Adapted from the Curtin University Systematic Reviews LibGuide.)
1. What is the research question and why was the study needed? (Greenhalgh, 2010)
2. Does the study have new findings? Is the work original and important?
3. Does the research question address the following components:
4. Did the authors use the right type of study in relation to the research question? (Young, 2009) For example:
5. Did the chosen study design minimise bias? For example, did the study use a randomised controlled trial or a systematice review?
6. Was the study designed in line with the original protocol i.e. stated methods? For example, were there changes to the inclusion or exclusion criteria?
7. Has the study's hypothesis (expected outcome) been tested?
8. Is the analysis of the data accurate?
9. Are the conclusions based on the data and analysis? (Taylor & Health Sciences Writing Centre University of Toronto, n.d.)
10. Does the study contribute to the understanding of the problem being investigated? What are the strengths and limitations of the study? Are the findings of the study useful for clinical practice?
References
Burls, A. (2009). What is critical appraisal? Retrieved from:http://www.bandolier.org.uk/painres/download/whatis/What_is_critical_appraisal.pdf
Greenhalgh, T. (2010). How to read a paper: The basics of evidence-based medicine. Chichester, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell.
Taylor, D., & Health Sciences Writing Centre University of Toronto. (n.d.). The literature review: A few tips on conducting it. Retrieved from:http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review.
Young, J. M. (2009). How to critically appraise an article. Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 6(2), 82. doi:10.1038/ncpgasthep1331