Evaluating Clinical Evidence: Validity and Reliability

Instructions

Critically Appraise the Evidence 

Submission Type: 6-to-8-page paper that includes three appraisal appendices at the end.

Details:

Last week, you identified a few quantitative research studies to help answer your PICOT question. In this two-week assignment, you will critically appraise three of the studies to evaluate the evidence they offer. At least one study must be a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Examples of rapid critical appraisal checklists that can be used for different types of quantitative studies are linked at the bottom of this assignment. Each critical appraisal will address the (1) validity, (2) reliability, and (3) applicability of the study.

After appraising the three studies, write a paper addressing each study’s validity, reliability, and applicability. Use APA formatting and include an introduction and conclusion. Be sure to include a reference page and appendix with copies of the completed critical appraisal checklists for each of the three studies.

This assignment should be no more than 6-8 pages (not including the title or references pages) and include the following components: 

1. 1. Title Page
   2. Introduction: include a summary of the primary intent of your paper 
   3. For each of the three studies, use the appropriate appraisal tool, address all items, and include detailed write-ups for:
      1. The validity of the study,
      2. The reliability of the study,
      3. The applicability of the study.
   4. Conclusion
   5. Reference Page
   6. Appendix
      

      Evaluating Clinical Evidence: Validity and Reliability

These rapid critical appraisal (RCA) checklists have been developed over several years and are designed to help you strive for mastery of the RCA phase of critical appraisal of evidence. The questions in the first section of the checklists are about what makes good research—and, therefore, contribute to determining the validity of a study. The second section of the checklists asks about information that helps establish study reliability within clinical practice. The third section of the RCA checklists contains questions about applicability of the study findings to patients.

Becoming proficient at understanding the different aspects within the RCA checklists and consistently using them when appraising evidence will improve clinicians’ understanding of various types of research methods, designs, statistical analyses, and translation of evidence into practice.Caveat: Though these resources have been developed over several years, they don’t get old. APA