Evidence-Based Practice & Critical Appraisal

• Critical appraisal is essential for evidence-based practice (EBP).
• EBP aims to improve health and social care by assessing evidence of risks and benefits of interventions.
• EBP relies on thorough and rigorous critical appraisals of current evidence, integrated with clinical expertise.
• Healthcare professionals use current and relevant research evidence to inform decisions.
• EBP ensures patient care is guided by scientifically validated practices.
• Practical decisions should be based on research evidence.
• Evidence should be selected and interpreted according to specific criteria.

Importance of Authorship and Evaluating Credentials

• Authorship is a pivotal factor influencing the reliability and credibility of information sources.
• Evaluating credentials and expertise ensures information is from credible and knowledgeable sources.
• Academic qualifications and professional affiliations are important.
• Peer recognition and professional standing are valuable.
• A consistent track record and publications in reputable journals is significant.

Publication Source and Peer Review

• Reputable journals have established editorial standards.
• These standards ensure the publication of high-quality and reliable information
• Journals with impact factors or those indexed in databases like PubMed are often considered reputable.
• Peer review is a system where experts in the field evaluate the validity, reliability, and significance of research.
• Peer-reviewed articles are more likely to provide accurate and trustworthy information.

Currency and Timeliness

• Information must be current and relevant
• Medical knowledge evolves, so recent information is more likely to reflect the latest advancements

Objectivity and Bias

• Objective information is free from personal opinions, biases, or external influences.
• Objectivity enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of information.
• Bias can take various forms, including publication bias, funding bias, and researcher bias.
• Biased information may present a distorted view and compromise reliability.

Publication Bias

• The outcome of a study influences the likelihood of its publication.
• Studies with positive results are more likely to be published.
• Studies with negative or inconclusive results are less likely to be published.
• This creates a skewed view.
• For example, a pharmaceutical company conducting multiple clinical trials on a new drug; the trials consistently show positive results. Then there might be a higher probability that these studies get published, while trials with less favourable outcomes might be left unpublished. This can create a skewed view of the drug's effectiveness.

Funding Bias

• The source of funding for a study influences its design, conduct, or reporting.
• This leads to potential bias in the study results.
• For example, a company funds research on the health benefits of a particular food product it produces; there may be a tendency for researchers to emphasize positive aspects or downplay negative findings in order to maintain a favorable relationship with the funding source. This introduces bias in favor of the sponsor's interests.

Researcher Bias

• The personal beliefs, expectations, or preferences of the researchers influence the study.
• This can affect the study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation of results.
• For example, a psychologist conducting a study on the effectiveness of a new therapeutic approach; if the psychologist strongly believes in the efficacy of this approach, they might unconsciously design the study in a way that favors positive outcomes or interprets ambiguous. This bias can compromise the objectivity of the research.

References and Citations

• References and citations are important in establishing credibility.
• Citations serve as a trail of evidence, allowing readers to trace the information back to its source.
• Well-cited information is often considered more reliable as it is supported by a broader body of evidence

Critical appraisal is essential for evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP improves health and social care by assessing risks and benefits of interventions. Healthcare professionals use research evidence to inform decisions, ensuring patient care is guided by validated practices.