Critical Appraisal Checklist and Worksheet

OBJECTIVES, HYPOTHESIS, STUDY PURPOSE

YES

NO

Are the objectives (or aims) of the study clearly stated?

Is the study question clearly stated?

Is the hypothesis clearly stated?

Is the study purpose an important clinical issue?

LITERATURE REVIEW

Did the researchers base their work on a thorough literature review?

DESIGN, SAMPLE

Is the study design suitable for the objectives?

Are inclusion/exclusion criteria described?

Was this the right sample to answer the objectives?

Was a power analysis conducted to determine sample size?

If subjects left the study, were reasons provided?

Has ethical approval been obtained?

MEASUREMENT

Is the method of data collection consistent consistent with the study design?

Is reference made to assumptions in the data?

Is it clear what variables were measured?

Is it clear how variables were measured?

Is it clear how instruments were scored?

Are instruments valid?

Are instruments reliable?

Are the measurements reproducible?

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

Are data adequately described?

Are statistical analysis methods appropriate to the data?

Are results logically presented in table, charts/graphs?

Are all statistics correctly interpreted?

Do results fit with previous research on the topic?

DISCUSSION

Are the results discussed in relation to existing knowledge on the subject and study objectives?

Is the discussion biased?

INTERPRETATION

Is the study question answered?

Are the authors’ conclusions justified by the data?

Does this paper help you answer your clinical problem?