Critical Appraisal Flashcards
What is critical appraisal of research?
Assessing validity of research and techniques employed in a study
What is internal validity?
How likely the results are to be true and free from bias when considering methodology
What is external validity?
Whether results can be generalised to a population
Name the 6 steps of critical appraisal
a. Are aims and question clearly defined?
b. Is methodology appropriate?
c. Is sample size determined?
d. Is statistical analysis appropriate?
e. Are conclusions based on results?
f. Can I apply to my own patients?
Describe how the aims should be stated during critical appraisal
Clearly stated and focused, suggesting hypothesis has been stated in advance, and using PICO
Name 2 types of research methodology
Descriptive and analytic
Name 2 types of descriptive research methodology
Survey and Cross Sectional
Name 2 types of analytic research methodology
Experimental and Analytic
Describe selection bias and how it is minimised
Difference in baseline characteristics
Randomization
Describe performance bias and how it is minimised
Difference in care provided
Blinding
Describe detection bias and how it is minimised
Difference in outcome determination
Blinding
Describe attrition bias and how it is minimised
Differences caused by withdrawals from study
Statistical methods
Describe 4 ways to control confounding factors
- Restriction
- Matching
- Randomisation
- Regression analysis
Describe sample size with regards to critical analysis
Larger usually is better
What should the power value be of a sample size?
80%
