Research involves gathering of data, collection of data and analysis of the data to produce meaningful information. However, many of the research are not in good quality and many studies may be biased

1. Critical appraisal of a scientific
paper and publication skills
Dr Amit Agrawal, MCh

2. I need to write a scientific article???

3. ∗ Research involves gathering of data, collection of data and
analysis of the data to produce meaningful information.
∗ However, many of the research are not in good quality and
many studies may be biased
Introduction

4. ∗ Abstract
∗ Introduction
∗ Materials and Methods
∗ Results
∗ Discussion
∗ Conclusion
∗ References
Anatomy of a Scientific Article

5. ∗ Critical appraisal is the process of carefully and
systematically analyze the research paper to judge its
trustworthiness, its value and relevance in a particular
context and how valid it is compared to other research.
What is "Critical Appraisal”?

6. ∗ Is it of interest?
Always Ask Six Things
1) What is the clinical question? Title
2) Why was the question asked? Introduction
3) What did they do? Methods
4) What was the answer ? Results
5) What did they say about the
answer?
Conclusion
6) What do I do with this
information?
Is this study of significant enough
quality in method to change my
practice one way or the other?

7. ∗ Is the abstract intelligible?
∗ Does the abstract accurately describe the objectives and
results obtained?
∗ Does the abstract include data not presented in the paper?
∗ Does the abstract include material that cannot be
substantiated?
Abstract

8. ∗ Did the authors indicate why the study was undertaken?
∗ How similar or different is the study population or setting?
∗ Is a difference likely to matter for the issue at hand?
∗ Was the background information provided adequate to
understand the aims of the study?
∗ The absence of such statements can imply that the authors
had no clear idea of what they were trying to find out.
Why was it done? Introduction

9. ∗ Were the methods described in sufficient detail for others to
repeat or extend the study?
∗ If standard methods were used, were adequate references
given?
∗ Is the sample large enough to produce significant results?
∗ If methods were modified, were the modifications described
carefully?
∗ Have the authors indicated the reasons why particular
procedures were used?
∗ Have the authors indicated clearly the potential problems with
the methods used?
∗ Have the authors indicated the limitations of the methods used?
∗ Have the authors specified the statistical procedures used?
∗ Are the statistical methods used appropriate?
How was it done? Methods

10. ∗ Were the experiments done appropriate with respect to
objectives of the study?
∗ Do the results obtained make sense?
∗ Do the legends to the figures describe clearly the data
obtained?
∗ Are the data presented in tabular form clear?
∗ Are the legends to the tables clear?
∗ Has appropriate statistical analysis been performed on the
data?
Results

11. ∗ The discussion section is more detailed and precise than the
abstract, and will explain:
∗ A review of how these results compare or contrast with
prior research?
∗ Were the objectives of the study met?
∗ Do the authors adequately interpret their data?
∗ Do the authors discuss their results in relation to available
information?
∗ If the objectives were not met, do the authors have any
explanation?
Discussion

12. What are the author’s conclusions?

13. ∗ 1. Do the authors cite appropriate papers for comments
made?
2. Do the authors cite their own publications needlessly?
References

14. ∗ What kind of reports do I want?
∗ Is this article relevant to my issue and setting?
∗ How much detail do I need?
∗ How comprehensive do I need to be?
Questions to Ask

15. ∗ An analytical summary and evaluation of a research study
∗ Critical appraisal is an essential part of evidence-based
medicine
∗ Critical appraisal allows us to make sense of research
evidence and thus begins to close the gap between research
and practice.
∗ Critical appraisal recognizes important information
∗ A systematic critical review helps to identify the strengths
and weaknesses in a research article
Summary