Casp qualitative

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10 questions to help you make sense of qualitative research

How to use this appraisal tool

Three broad issues need to be considered when appraising the report of a qualitative research:

 Are the results of the review valid?

 What are the results?

 Will the results help locally?

The 10 questions on the following pages are designed to help you think about these issues systematically.

The first two questions are screening questions and can be answered quickly. If the answer to both is

“yes”, it is worth proceeding with the remaining questions.

There is some degree of overlap between the questions, you are asked to record a “yes”, “no” or “can’t

tell” to most of the questions. A number of italicised prompts are given after each question. These are

designed to remind you why the question is important. Record your reasons for your answers in the

spaces provided.

These checklists were designed to be used as educational tools as part of a workshop setting

There will not be time in the small groups to answer them all in detail!

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©Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Research Checklist 31.05.13

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Screening Questions

1. Was there a clear statement of the aims Yes Can’t tell No

of the research? HINT: Consider

 What was the goal of the research?

 Why it was thought important?

 Its relevance

2. Is a qualitative methodology appropriate? Yes Can’t tell No

HINT: Consider

 If the research seeks to interpret or illuminate the

actions and/or subjective experiences of research

participants

 Is qualitative research the right methodology for

addressing the research goal?

Is it worth continuing?

©Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Research Checklist 31.05.13

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Detailed questions

3. Was the research design appropriate to Yes Can’t tell  No

address the aims of the research?

HINT: Consider

 If the researcher has justified the research design

(e.g. have they discussed how they decided which

method to use)?

4. Was the recruitment strategy appropriate to the Yes Can’t tell No

aims of the research?

HINT:Consider

 If the researcher has explained how the participants

were selected

 If they explained why the participants they selected were

the most appropriate to provide access to the type of

knowledge sought by the study

 If there are any discussions around recruitment (e.g. why

some people chose not to take part)

©Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Research Checklist 31.05.13

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5. Was the data collected in a way that addressed Yes Can’t tell No

the research issue?

HINT: Consider

 If the setting for data collection was justified

 If it is clear how data were collected (e.g. focus group,