Andrew

 

The most Generic of all checklists is Rod Jackson’s GATE (Generic Appraisal Tool for Epidemiology) but it does require some practice.

 

It can be downloaded from Rod’s EPIQ website in New Zealand.

 

Amanda

 

From: Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew Booth
Sent: 12 January 2005 10:21
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject:

 

Dear All

 

I am hoping that you can help me with this one. We are currently conducting appraisal and review activity for a national governmental organisation. The output is a digest of significant articles on a pre-specified topic with a brief critically appraised summary for each item. The articles comprise all research methodologies (e.g. RCTs, observational studies, qualitative research and even secondary forms such as systematic reviews and guidelines)

 

Specifically in connection with the appraisal part of the process it seems we have three options:

  1. Use a *checklist specific to each study design*. This is the most time intensive option and could result in an inconsistent format of reporting and analysis.
  2. Use a *mixed-methods checklist* and only use the questions that apply to each article. This reduces inconsistency but will result in redundancy of some checklist items and may prove unwieldy.
  3. Use a *generic checklist* that can be used for all study types. This would result in consistency of reporting but might require supplementary questions regarding specific study types (e.g. a question on randomisation specifically for RCTs).

 

Obviously having been involved in systematic reviews, critical appraisal and HTAs for almost a decade we have amassed large numbers of study-design-specific checklists. My question therefore relates ONLY to options 2 and 3 above:

 

  1. Have any of you used either a mixed-methods checklist or a generic checklist to appraise consistently a “mixed bag” of study types and designs?
  2. If so, is there a particular critical appraisal tool/checklist/instrument that you would recommend for this purpose?

 

I am willing to collate replies if there is wider interest in this topic.

 

Thanking you for your assistance – Yours in anticipation

 

Andrew  

 

Andrew Booth

Director of Information Resources and Senior Lecturer in Evidence Based Healthcare Information