While there are more detailed questions that you would need to ask depending on the type of study (therapy, diagnosis, etiology, or prognosis), you can begin by asking these general questions to determine if the evidence is applicable to your clinical question.
Are the results of the study good enough?
- Is it clear what the research question is?
- Were appropriate study methods used?
- Do the authors give you enough information about how the data was collected?
- Is there enough analysis of the data to determine if the study is valid?
- Was the data interpreted and the conclusions clearly stated?
Are there other studies with similar conclusions?
- Do the findings apply to this clinical setting and patient population?
- Were the patients in the study similar to patients here?
- Are the findings applicable to more than one clinical setting?
Is the evidence strong enough to warrant a change in practice?
Appraising the evidence is a complex issue. The Tools for Critically Appraising the Literature may help you identify the study design, type of question, level of evidence for an individual research article.
