Critical Appraisal – are there any tools that can help you? (#24)

When you are looking at research articles you need to appraise them critically for validity, results and relevance. This means looking at the paper in a systematic way to determine whether it is going to help you to answer your question.

There are a wide range of tools that can help you to develop your skills in doing this. Our etutorial Critical Appraisal Tools will introduce you to some tools that can help. The tools do not necessarily give you a definitive “yes” or “no” but they help you to ask the right questions to assess the paper.

Tools icon - use critical appraisal tools to help you to assess research papers

In a similar way that we use the CRAAP tool (see previous blog post) if an item fails your appraisal it does not necessarily mean that it is a rubbish paper, just that it will not help you to answer your question.

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Install the Ebsco App for quick access to articles

NHS staff can get quick access to articles from your NHS resources via the Ebsco mobile app. This app gives you access to a simplified version of the NHS Knowledge & Library Hub. Great features include: Simple search across multiple NHS resources Read articles and some ebooks Listen to text whilst on the go Bookmark links to articles Share articles with your colleagues To install the App Search your store for Ebsco Mobile Download and install the app To log in first select "Access with your institution" – search for your institution name. Check which institution name you need from our web page Enter your NHS OpenAthens username / password. You will now be logged in. You can start a search, browse recently viewed content, link to full-text, bookmark content and share content. Watch the video tutorial from Ebsco for a quick demonstration of the app. Remember to log in as above.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Evidence Updates

The following updates from NIHR Evidence are now available: Summaries (published since 13 February 2025): What impact does hearing loss have on dementia risk? Children in deprived areas are most at risk of avoidable poisoning by medicines COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy reduces risks to mother and baby Which drugs are best for migraine attacks? Adult social care: how to improve support for people at risk through homelessness, learning disabilities or dementia Vaping is linked with breathing issues in young people Culturally-adapted therapy improved postnatal depression in British South Asian women Hospital at home and virtual wards: What works? Population-level policies on risk factors for dementia could reduce costs

Resource of the week #15: NICE Pathways

What is it? NICE Pathways are interactive flowcharts for topics and conditions Key Features You can use the main search box to look for your topic, or use the A-Z list to find a particular condition. You can also view broader topics and drill-down to individual flowcharts. Flowcharts include points of decision-making as a patient travels along the pathway or route to assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Each decision-box includes information and evidence detailing what should be carried out. How can it help you? The NICE Pathways tool can provide you with guidance and advice on topics and conditions. It can help you to assess your own services and apply NICE guidance and recommendations. How to access it? NICE Pathways are freely available on the Internet. Video Help Watch the video produced by NICE – How to use NICE Pathways – to learn more about how to navigate and find information.

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