Systematic Reviews

Evidence-based minimum set of items for reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Focused on randomized trials, PRISMA can also be used as a basis for reporting systematic reviews of other types of research, particularly evaluations of interventions.

Official document that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining Cochrane systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions.

Provides practical guidance for undertaking evidence synthesis based on a thorough understanding of systematic review methodology

Standard 3.6 Critically appraise each study
Required elements:
3.6.1 Systematically assess the risk of bias, using predefined
criteria
3.6.2 Assess the relevance of the study’s populations, interventions, and outcome measures
3.6.3 Assess the fidelity of the implementation of interventions

From Evidence Based Nursing, a good outline of the critical appraisal process.

From the Center for Evidence Based Medicine in Toronto Canada and is a project of the Canadian Institute of Health Research

Book in the McGoogan Library: WB 102 U84 2002, ISBN: 1579471749

From JAMAevidence

From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a good summary report of the process.

An excellent article by Christopher Carpenter, MD, MSc & Scott Weingart, MD, from Emergency Physicians Monthly that discusses developing and honing critical appraisal skills.

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (short GRADE) working group began in the year 2000 as an informal collaboration of people with an interest in addressing the shortcomings of grading systems in health care. The working group has developed a common, sensible, and transparent approach to grading the quality (or certainty) of evidence and the strength of recommendations. Many international organizations have provided input into the development of the GRADE approach which is now considered the standard in guideline development.

From Oxford-Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. See "Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence" PDF.

The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) Instrument evaluates the process of practice guideline development and the quality of reporting. The AGREE II is now the new international tool for the assessment of practice guidelines. The AGREE II is both valid and reliable and comprises 23 items organized into the original 6 quality domains.