Critical Appraisal
Use this guide to find information resources about critical appraisal including checklists, books and journal articles.
Key Resources
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This online resource explains the sections commonly used in research articles. Understanding how research articles are organised can make reading and evaluating them easier                                
 
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Worksheets for appraising systematic reviews, diagnostics, prognostics and RCTs.                                
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A free online resource for both healthcare staff and patients; four modules of 30–45 minutes provide an introduction to evidence based medicine, clinical trials and Cochrane Evidence.                                 
 
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This tool will guide you through a series of questions to help you to review and interpret a published health research paper.                                
 
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 The PRISMA flow diagram depicts the flow of information through the different phases of a literature review. It maps out the number of records identified, included and excluded, and the reasons for exclusions.                                
View page 
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A comprehensive database of reporting guidelines. Covers all the main study types.                                
 
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A tool to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews.                                 
 
Books
            Aveyard H and Waite M (2025) A beginner’s guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. 3rd edn. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education.                            
            Aveyard H, Sharp P, Greenway K and Parsons L (2023) A beginner’s guide to evidence-based practice in health and social care. 4th edn. London: McGraw Hill.                            
            Bedford D (2025) Finding and using information: a guide for nursing, health and social care. Banbury: Lantern Publishing.                            - 
This introductory book includes chapters on evaluating sources and the structure of research articles.                                
 
            Crombie I K (2022) The pocket guide to critical appraisal. 2nd edn. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.                            
            Greenhalgh T and Dijkstra P (2025) How to read a paper: the basics of evidence based healthcare. 7th edn. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.                            
            Grove S K and Gray J (2023) Understanding nursing research: building an evidence-based practice. 8th edn. St. Louis: Elsevier.                            
            Jackson D, Taylor G and Harris M (2024) Clinical evidence made easy. 2nd edn. Banbury: Scion Publishing.                            
            Schmidt N A and Brown J M (2025) Evidence-based practice for nurses: appraisal and application of research. 6th edn. Burlington: Jones and Bartlett Learning.                            Book subject search
Journal articles
            Amy Tank
Editor of this guide
ñ Library and Museum
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Page last updated - 11/02/2025