Nursing - Research Article Critique
Evidence level and quality rating:
Article title:
Number:
Author(s):
Publication date:
Journal:
Setting:
Sample (composition and size):
Does this evidence address my EBP question?
Yes
No- Do not proceed with appraisal of this evidence
· Clinical Practice Guidelines LEVEL IV
Systematically developed recommendations from nationally recognized experts based on research evidence or expert consensus panel
· Consensus or Position Statement LEVEL IV
Systematically developed recommendations, based on research and nationally recognized expert opinion, that guide members of a professional organization in decision-making for an issue of concern
· Are the types of evidence included identified?
· Yes
· No
· Were appropriate stakeholders involved in the development of recommendations?
· Yes
· No
· Are groups to which recommendations apply and do not apply clearly stated?
· Yes
· No
· Have potential biases been eliminated?
· Yes
· No
· Does each recommendation have an identified level of evidence stated?
· Yes
· No
· Are recommendations clear?
· Yes
· No
Findings That Help Answer the EBP Question
Complete the corresponding quality rating section.
Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice
Appendix F: Non-Research Evidence Appraisal Tool
Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice
Appendix F
Non-Research Evidence Appraisal
1
· Literature review LEVEL V
Summary of selected published literature including scientific and nonscientific such as reports of organizational experience and opinions of experts
· Integrative review LEVEL V
Summary of research evidence and theoretical literature; analyzes, compares themes, notes gaps in the selected literature
· Is subject matter to be reviewed clearly stated?
· Yes
· No
· Is literature relevant and up-to-date (most sources are within the past five years or classic)?
· Yes
· No
· Of the literature reviewed, is there a meaningful analysis of the conclusions across the articles included in the review?
· Yes
· No
· Are gaps in the literature identified?
· Yes
· No
· Are recommendations made for future practice or study?
· Yes
· No
Findings That Help Answer the EBP Question
Complete the corresponding quality rating section.
· Expert opinion LEVEL V
Opinion of one or more individuals based on clinical expertise
· Has the individual published or presented on the topic?
· Yes
· No
· Is the author’s opinion based on scientific evidence?
· Yes
· No
· Is the author’s opinion clearly stated?
· Yes
· No
· Are potential biases acknowledged?
· Yes
· No
Findings That Help Answer the EBP Question
Complete the corresponding quality rating section.
Organizational Experience
· Quality improvement LEVEL V
Cyclical method to examine workflows, processes, or systems with a specific organization
· Financial evaluation LEVEL V
Economic evaluation that applies analytic techniques to identify, measure, and compare the cost and outcomes of two or more alternative programs or interventions
· Program evaluation LEVEL V
Systematic assessment of the processes and/or outcomes of a program; can involve both quaNtitative and quaLitative methods
Setting:
Sample Size/Composition:
· Was the aim of the project clearly stated?
· Yes
· No
· Was the method fully described?
· Yes
· No
· Were process or outcome measures identified?
· Yes
· No
· Were results fully described?
· Yes
· No
· Was interpretation clear and appropriate?
· Yes
· No
· Are components of cost/benefit or cost effectiveness analysis described?
· Yes
· No
· N/A
Findings That Help Answer the EBP Question
Complete the corresponding quality rating section.
· Case report LEVEL V
In-depth look at a person or group or another social unit
· Is the purpose of the case report clearly stated?
· Yes
· No
· Is the case report clearly presented?
· Yes
· No
· Are the findings of the case report supported by relevant theory or research?
· Yes
· No
· Are the recommendations clearly stated and linked to the findings?
· Yes
· No
Findings That Help Answer the EBP Question
Complete the corresponding quality rating.
Community standard, clinician experience, or consumer preference LEVEL V
· Community standard: Current practice for comparable settings in the community
· Clinician experience: Knowledge gained through practice experience
· Consumer preference: Knowledge gained through life experience
Information Source(s)
Number of Sources
· Source of information has credible experience
· Yes
· No
· N/A
· Opinions are clearly stated
· Yes
· No
· N/A
· Evidence obtained is consistent
· Yes
· No
· N/A
Findings That Help You Answer the EBP Question
Complete the corresponding quality rating section.
Quality Rating for Clinical Practice Guidelines, Consensus, or Position Statements (Level IV)
A High quality
Material officially sponsored by a professional, public, or private organization or a government agency; documentation of a systematic literature search strategy; consistent results with sufficient numbers of well-designed studies; criteria-based evaluation of overall scientific strength and quality of included studies and definitive conclusions; national expertise clearly evident; developed or revised within the past five years.
B Good quality
Material officially sponsored by a professional, public, or private organization or a government agency; reasonably thorough and appropriate systematic literature search strategy; reasonably consistent results, sufficient numbers of well-designed studies; evaluation of strengths and limitations of included studies with fairly definitive conclusions; national expertise clearly evident; developed or revised within the past five years.
C Low quality or major flaw
Material not sponsored by an official organization or agency; undefined, poorly defined, or limited literature search strategy; no evaluation of strengths and limitations of included studies; insufficient evidence with inconsistent results; conclusions cannot be drawn; not revised within the past five years.
Quality Rating for Organizational Experience (Level V)
A High quality
Clear aims and objectives; consistent results across multiple settings; formal quality improvement or financial evaluation methods used; definitive conclusions; consistent recommendations with thorough reference to scientific evidence.
B Good quality
Clear aims and objectives; formal quality improvement or financial evaluation methods used; consistent results in a single setting; reasonably consistent recommendations with some reference to scientific evidence.
C Low quality or major flaws
Unclear or missing aims and objectives; inconsistent results; poorly defined quality; improvement/financial analysis method; recommendations cannot be made.
Quality Rating for Case Report, Integrative Review, Literature Review, Expert Opinion, Community Standard, Clinician Experience, Consumer Preference (Level V)
A High quality
Expertise is clearly evident, draws definitive conclusions, and provides scientific rationale; thought leader in the field.
B Good quality
Expertise appears to be credible, draws fairly definitive conclusions, and provides logical argument for opinions.
C Low quality or major flaws
Expertise is not discernable or is dubious; conclusions cannot be drawn.