Appraisal is the process of critically analysing a study for its inclusion in a systematic review. The process determines if there are any factors which may influence the outcome of the study. These factors can be termed bias. There are tools available to appraise a number of different study types available via the LATITUDES Network. The EQUATOR Network provides standards for assessing the quality of reporting in different study types.
More information and links about critically appraising studies can be found in the Evidence-based practice in health sciences guide.
Boutron I, Page MJ, Higgins JPT, Altman DG, Lundh A, Hróbjartsson A. Considering bias and conflicts of interest among the included studies. In: Higgins J, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ et al, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions, Cochrane; 2022.
When appraising research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples it is important to consider indigenous perspectives. More information is available in these resources:
Harfield S, Pearson O, Morey K, et al. Assessing the quality of health research from an Indigenous perspective: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander quality appraisal tool. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2020;20(1):79-79. doi:10.1186/s12874-020-00959-3
Lock MJ, Walker T, Browne J. Promoting cultural rigour through critical appraisal tools in First Nations peoples’ research. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2021;45(3):210-211. doi:10.1111/1753-6405.13097