Stephen A MacGillivray
University of Dundee, Scotland , UK
Title: Skills workshop: Critical appraisal of research studies
Biography
Biography: Stephen A MacGillivray
Abstract
A key part of the evidence-based health care agenda is the emphasis on systematic reviews of research studies. The method of appraising the quality of different intervention, observational and qualitative study designs in such reviews remains an important challenge and is a skill that is needed by everyone such as those in practice, educators and researchers. This skill workshop will give a rapid and intensive overview of the skills needed and resources available, for critical appraisal of a wide variety of research designs. At the end of the workshop participants will be able to: Explain the importance of critical appraisal; Describe key characteristics of the critical appraisal process; Explain the crucial differences between reporting quality, study quality and risk of bias; Identify a range of tools for assisting in critical appraisal and explains why summary scales should be avoided and an individual question-based approach adopted. It also describes the basic steps involved in appraising: a cohort study, a randomized controlled trial, a systematic review and a qualitative study.