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Occupational Therapy - Dallas

Occupational therapy research guide for TWU Dallas students, faculty and staff.

What is Critical Appraisal?

Critical appraisal is the process of systematically examining research to objectively assess its validity, results, and relevance.

Regardless of what type of research you are assessing, It is always necessary to consider the following questions.

  • Has the research been conducted in such a way as to minimize bias?
  • If so, what does the study show?
  • What do the results mean for the particular patient or context in which a decision is being made?

Useful Resources:

Burls, A. (2009). What is critical appraisal? In What Is This Series: Evidence-based medicine. Available online at What is Critical Appraisal?

Cochrane is an international network but with headquarters in the UK, it is registered as a not for profit organization. The link leads to their published chapter on critical appraisal. http://ph.cochrane.org/sites/ph.cochrane.org/files/public/uploads/Unit_Eight.pdf