Evaluating Evidence

Critically appraising a study means closely looking at a study to check for relevance, reliability, and bias.

• How do the findings affect decision-making?
• Does the article answer your question?
• Do the results of this study agree with other available evidence?
• What are the implications of this study for practice? 

Below are some of the commonly used critical appraisal tool available.

Critical Appraisal Skills Programme

• Cohort Study
• Case Control Study
• Randomized Control Trial 
• Systematic Review 
• Qualitative Study

How to use the CASP Checklists

The Centre for Evidence Based Medicine 

• Systematic Reviews
• Diagnostics
• Prognosis
• Randomised Controlled Trials
• Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Studies
• IPD Review

The Joanna Briggs Institute Checklists

• Analytical Cross Sectional Studies
• Case Control Studies
• Case Reports
• Case Series
• Cohort Studies
• Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies
• Economic Evaluations
• Prevalence Studies
• Qualitative Research
• Quasi-Experimental Studies
• Randomized Controlled Trials
• Systematic Reviews
• Textual Evidence: Expert Opinion
• Textual Evidence: Narrative
• Textual Evidence: Policy