Many people believe that if a paper is found in PubMed or is peer-reviewed, it automatically means the research was conducted well. As much as we wish that were the case, poor-quality research can find its way into the databases we trust, or simply research that is ill-suited to answer your research question.
It's our responsibility to vet those papers and ensure that the studies we use for patient care or research are of the highest methodological quality. This guide will break down that process of critical appraisal into actionable steps. You can also read this guide if you're curious what makes a scientific study trustworthy or are part of a journal club.
Short on time? Use "pre-appraised" resources instead. These include point-of-care tools and evidence reports:
Are you an MGH or BWH employee who wants to learn more about critical appraisal or evidence-based medicine? Request a personalized class from a librarian.
