Healthcare staff need to know how to appraise and interpret the research literature in order to effectively apply it for the benefit of patients. The skills in interpreting research studies are commonly known as critical appraisal skills.
The library service holds a number of resources to assist those wishing to gain these skills. These include workbooks for those wanting to learn at their own pace via self-directed learning and toolkits of worked examples and guided exercises for those wanting to set up regular CASP workshop meetings with a small group of colleagues.
Library staff are available to assist with the facilitation of CASP workshops. You can fillour training formto request group or individual session.
Articles
Howland,R.H. (2011), ‘Publication bias and outcome reporting bias:agomelatineas a case example’,Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services, 49(9): 11-4.DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20110809-01 (Requires OpenAthens authentication)
Naicker R, Nunan DCatalogue of bias: racial biasBMJ Evidence-Based Medicine Published Online First: 24 August 2023. doi: 10.1136/bmjebm-2023-112400 (Requires OpenAthens authentication)
Books and eBooks
Checklists
| AMSTAR (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews) | Assessment of Multiple systematic reviews is a 37-item assessment tool used to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews. |
| CASP critical appraisal checklists | Tools for systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, and case control studies |
| CEBM critical appraisal checklists | Critical appraisal worksheets to help you appraise the reliability, importance and applicability of clinical evidence. |
| GATE: Graphic Approach To Evidence Based Practice | PDF presentation on how to use this tool. |
| JBI: Critical appraisal tools | CATs for a range of study types: case control, case reports, cohort, diagnostic test , economic evaluations, prevalence, quasi-experimental, RCTs, SRs and more |
| Methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) | MINORS is an instrument designed to assess the methodological quality of non-randomized surgical studies, whether comparative or non-comparative |
| PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) scale | Developed to support evidence-based practice in physiotherapy, PEDro can be used to find trials, reviews and guidelines evaluating physiotherapy interventions. Trials are assessed for quality using the PEDro scale. Aimed at a global audience and produced in Australia by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health. |
| SIGN (Scottishintercollegiate guidelines network) critical appraisal checklist | |
| The application of a CAT (‘CASP’) | The Cochrane Common Mental Disorders group have produced 7 videos demonstrating the application ofthe CASP checklist to different study designs. |
e-Learning
| Learning resources on key areas of Cochrane review methodology | |
| The critical appraisal programme has been designed to enable the healthcare workforce (clinical and non-clinical) to build confidence in the critical appraisal process when applying and evaluating research. You will need your OpenAthens account. | |
| Cochrane Evidence Essentials is an introduction to Evidence Based Medicine, clinical trials and Cochrane evidence. It is designed for healthcare consumers (patients, care givers, family members), policy makers and members of the healthcare team | |
| This module explores how to locate relevant terms for various study designs in the ProQuest Thesaurus and other fields and how to execute efficient searches for various study designs corresponding to the main Levels of Evidence. It is intended for medical and nursing faculty, students, and researchers. It is recommended that you complete the ProQuest – Thesaurus module on the ProQuest Platform LibGuide first |
Evaluating grey literature
Using grey literature
Grey literature can be produced in various formats and be written in different styles.
Here are some articles showing the debate about and the use of grey literature in research.
- Schopfel, J. and Rasuli, B. (2018), Are electronic theses and dissertations (still) grey literature in the digital age? A FAIR debate, The Electronic Library, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 208-219. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-02-2017-0039 (Requires OpenAthens authentication)
- Paez A. (2017), Gray literature: An important resource in systematic reviews.J Evid Based Med; 10:233–240.https://doi.orr/10.1111/jebm.12266 (Requires OpenAthens authentication)
- Pappas, C. and Williams, I.,( 2011),Grey literature: its emerging importance.Journal of Hospital Librarianship,11(3), pp.228-234. (Contact the library to request this article)
- Bell, D.,( 2018), Unlocking grey literature in the social sciences. ALISS Quarterly,14(1), pp.8-11.
- Clyne, B., Walsh, K. A., O’Murchu, E., Sharp, M. K., Comber, L., O’ Brien, K. K., Smith, S. M., Harrington, P., O’Neill, M., Teljeur, C., & Ryan, M. (2021). Using preprints in evidence synthesis: Commentary on experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.Journal of clinical epidemiology,138, 203–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.05.010
Grey literature assessment tools
Use the‘AACODS’ checklist, from Flinders University, South Australia, designed as a memory aid in evaluating grey literature:-
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DARTScan be used to evaluate grey literature, and can easily be adapted into a spreadsheet for tracking purposes.
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QUality Evaluation Scoring Tool (QUEST)is a 28-point system for evaluating online health information, and can be useful for comparing a large number of resources.
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Appraising sources
| Alternative Facts and Fake News – Verifiability in the Information Society IFLA | Blog of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions |
| Evaluating information | Guides and tutorials on evaluation of information from the Imperial College London library services |
| Verification skills tutorials | Video 1: Introductory Video Video 2: Investigate the Source |
| Fact checking Tools | Video 1: Verifying Images and Videos |
| Get the facts on health | Fact checks about medical conditions, the NHS, social care and government funding of national health services |
Statistics guides
| Bandolier: What are confidence intervals and p-values? |
| BMJ Learning module –Understanding statistics 2: is there a significant difference (requires a subscription) |
| Chris Cates explains: AKT statistics |
Toolkits
| Catalogue of Bias | A collaborative project mapping all the biases that affect health evidence |
| Catalogue of bias: racial bias.BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine (2023). byNaicker, R. and Nunan, D | (access withNHS OpenAthens) |
| CATmaker | A software tool which helps you create Critically Appraised Topics, for key articles you encounter about Therapy, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Aetiology/Harm and Systematic Reviews of Therapy. |
| Evidence-Based Medicine Toolkit | A collection of tools for identifying, assessing and applying relevant evidence for better health care decision-making. |
| Understanding health research | This tool will guide you through a series of questions to help you to review and interpret a published health research paper. |
Page last reviewed: 27 January, 2024
