Critical appraisal tools: relax, it's much worse than you think

Crowe, M. (2011) Critical appraisal tools: relax, it's much worse than you think. In: International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare (9) p. 290. From: 2011 Joanna Briggs Institute International Convention: mission impossible? Evidence based practice and the future of global health, 7-9 November 2011, Adelaide, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

Background: A review of critical appraisal tools (CATs) was undertaken. The review specifically focused on the design and evaluation of new CATs, as reported in the peer reviewed literature.

Results: Of the 45 CATs reviewed, 26 (58%) were applicable to more than one research design, 11 (24%) to true experimental studies, and the remaining eight (18%) to individual research designs. Comprehensive explanations of how a CAT was developed and guidelines to use the CAT were available in five (11%) instances. There was no validation process reported in 12 CATs (27%) and 34 CATs (76%) had not been tested for reliability.

Discussion: Systematic reviews are important from a clinical and policy viewpoint. However, many CATs have been developed that disregard: basic research techniques; the evidence for CAT design; and validation and reliability testing.

Conclusions: Researchers should take care when choosing a CAT.

Item ID: 27930
Item Type: Conference Item (Presentation)
ISSN: 1744-1609
Keywords: critical appraisal, research methods
Date Deposited: 04 Jul 2013 01:17
FoR Codes: 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1608 Sociology > 160807 Sociological Methodology and Research Methods @ 50%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences @ 100%
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