Subject and Course Guides: Athletic Training: Evaluating Research

There are FIVE criteria you should keep in mind when evaluating something from the web.

1) Authority:
Who is responsible for the website and the information it contains?

2) Accuracy:
How accurate is the information? How reputable are the sources?

3) Objectivity:
What point of view do the creators of the website have?

4) Currency:
How current is the information? Is it outdated?

5) Coverage:
Is the website covering all aspects of a topic?

Questions to Ask

What type of source is this (systematic review, controlled trial, case study)?
What information have you found in other sources that supports the arguments made in this source? List the sources.
Is there more recent information that supports or negates the arguments made in this source? What is this information? List the sources.
What are this source's weaknesses?
What are this source's strengths?
Would you use this source to support your argument? Why or why not?

(CASP) Critical Appraisal Skills Programme
The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) has created a number of appraisal tools for various types of research.
EBM Toolkit
Collection of tools for identifying, assessing and applying relevant evidence for better health care decision-making from the University of Alberta.
NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools
The tools were designed to assist reviewers in focusing on concepts that are key for critical appraisal of the internal validity of a study.
(CEBM) Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine
The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford (UK) provides tools to develop, teach and promote evidence-based health care. Their site provides useful tools and downloads for the critical appraisal of medical evidence. Example appraisal sheets are provided together with several helpful examples.