Table of Contents 1
Cover
5
Preface to the First Edition
6
Preface to the Second Edition
7
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Critical Appraisal
The aims of critical appraisal
Three stages of critical appraisal
8
CHAPTER 2: Do Not Read the Paper
The initial interrogation
The in‐depth interrogation
9
CHAPTER 3: Identifying the Research Design
Surveys
Cohort studies
Case–control studies
RCTs
Cohort studies that evaluate the effectiveness of interventions
Systematic reviews
10
CHAPTER 4: Interpreting the Results
The effect size
Taking the play of chance into account
Factors that distort the effect size
Questionable research practices
Conclusion
11
CHAPTER 5: The In‐Depth Interrogation
Bias
Critical questions for bias
Important questions for bias
Indicative questions for bias
Questions about value
Conclusion
12
CHAPTER 6: Appraising Surveys
The critical bias questions for bias
The complete list for appraising surveys*
13
CHAPTER 7: Appraising Cohort Studies
The critical questions for bias
The important questions for bias
The indicative questions for risk of bias
The complete list for the appraisal of cohort studies*
14
CHAPTER 8: Appraising Case–Control Studies
The critical questions for bias
The important questions for bias
The complete list for the appraisal of case–control studies*
15
CHAPTER 9: Appraising Randomised Controlled Trials
The critical questions for bias
The important questions for bias
The questions of value
The complete list for the appraisal of clinical trials*
16
CHAPTER 10: Cohort Studies That Evaluate the Effectiveness of Interventions
Overview of advantages of cohort treatment studies and challenges for critical appraisal
The critical questions for bias
The important questions for bias
The questions of value
Conclusion
The complete list for the appraisal of cohort studies that evaluate interventions
17
CHAPTER 11: Appraising Systematic Reviews
The critical questions for risk of bias
The important questions for risk of bias
The questions of value
The complete list for the appraisal of systematic reviews*
18
CHAPTER 12: Summarising Risk of Bias
Identify the risk of bias of the research designs
Review the biases in study design, conduct, and interpretation
Derive an overall rating
Summary
19
