APPRAISE - Tools for Appraising Evidence - Physical Therapy - Research Guides at St. Catherine University

The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and Tools (2025) are also available within the licensed ebook, linked below (St. Catherine University login and password required).

Bissett, K., Ascenzi. J., & Whalen, M. (2025). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines. 5th ed. Sigma Theta Tau International.

Appraisal Tools

Appendix D: Appraisal Tool Selection Algorithm

Use the decision trees in Appendix D to determine which of the three evidence appraisal tools to use.

Appendix E1: Pre-Appraised Evidence Appraisal Tool

Appendix E2: Single Study Evidence Appraisal Tool

Appendix E3: Anecdotal Evidence Appraisal Tool

Additional Project Tools

Appendix A: Project Steps and Overview

Appendix B: Question Development

Appendix C: Searching and Screening Tool

Appendix F: Evidence Terminology and Considerations Guide

Appendix G1: Best Evidence Summary Tool

Appendix G2: Individual Evidence Summary Tool

Appendix H: Summary, Synthesis, and Best Evidence Recommendation Tool

Appendix I: Translation Tool

Appendix J: Implementation and Planning Tool

The Johns Hopkins Appraisal Tools (2022) are available within the licensed ebook, linked below (St. Catherine University login and password required).

Dang, D., Dearholt, S., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2022). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals : Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.

Appendix E: Research Evidence Appraisal Tool (Levels I-III including Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods)

Use this tool to appraise:

Level I

Experimental study, randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Explanatory mixed methods design that includes only a Level I quantitative study
Systematic review of RCTs, with or without meta-analysis

Level II

Quasi-experimental study
Explanatory mixed methods design that includes only a Level II quantitative study
Systematic review of a combination of RCTs and quasi-experimental studies, or quasi-experimental studies only, with or without meta-analysis

Level III

Nonexperimental study
Systematic review of a combination of RCTs, quasi-experimental and nonexperimental studies, or nonexperimental studies only, with or without meta-analysis.
Exploratory, convergent, or multiphasic mixed methods studies
Explanatory mixed methods design that includes only a Level III quantitative study
Qualitative study
Systematic review of qualitative studies with or without meta-synthesis

Appendix F: Non-Research Appraisal Tool (Levels IV-V)

Use this tool to appraise:

Level IV: Opinion of respected authorities and/or nationally recognized expert committees or consensus panels based on scientific evidence.

Clinical practice guidelines
Consensus panels/position statements

Level V: Based on experiential and non-research evidence.

Scoping reviews
Integrative reviews
Literature reviews
Quality improvement, program or financial evaluation
Case reports
Opinion of nationally recognized expert(s) based on experiential evidence

CASP Checklists (Critical Appraisal Skills Program)
Evidence hierarchy and editable PDF appraisal forms for many types of articles.
JBI (Joanna Briggs International) Critical Appraisal Tools
Downloadable appraisal tools to assist in assessing the trustworthiness, relevance, and results of evidence.
Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Critical Appraisal Tools
Worksheets to help appraise the reliability, importance and applicability of clinical evidence

Evidence Summary Table/Matrix

Organize the relevant articles using a spreadsheet or table.
As you create your own matrix, choose column headings that support your research question and goals. If using the John's Hopkins appraisal tool, Appendix G: Individual Summary Tool provides a detailed example of this matrix.
Most article matrices will have the same first three column headings: (1) authors, title, and journal OR full citation (2) publication year, and (3) purpose.

Authors, title, journal

Year pub

Purpose

Methodological Design

Subjects

Sample Size

Treatment

Results

G., S. A., & Patil, N. Effectiveness of Massage Therapy as an Adjunct to Kangaroo Mother Care on Physiological and Behavioural Status of Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants. Indian Journal Of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy

2017

To study the effect of massage therapy as an adjunct to kangaroo mother care on physiological and behavioral status of low birth weight infants.

Comparative study was conducted with a convenience sample of patients in the NICU

LBW infants < 37 wks

-medically stable

-non-ventilated

40 total

20 control

20 treatment

Treament: 15 min KMC and Massage, 2x daily for 15 days

Control:

15 min KMC, 2X daily for 15 days

Pre (day 1) and post (day 15) measures of heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, temperature and neonatal behavioural assessment scale showed statistically significant differences in all measures between the treatment and control groups.

Additional columns might include:

Methodology - the study method and design are often important for comparing and synthesizing studies.
Content-specific- specific output measures studied, relevant statistics, theoretical models, population variables, study limitations or variations.
Geographical - it may be important to note where the research was completed.
Appraisal Information- the level and grade of evidence (if applicable) determined in article appraisal