1. Critical Appraisal of the Scientific Literature

2. Outline Components of a scientific paper Types of study
The Hierarchy of Evidence
Common mistakes in the literature

3. Components of a Scientific Paper
Introduction (Background)
Materials/Subjects and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

4. Introduction Outline of previous research related to present study
Leads to aims and objectives of present study
Clearly stated goals or objectives
Hypothesis - Null

5. Ethical / Internal Review Board Approval

6. Materials / Subjects
A detailed description of the materials used including brand names
A detailed description of how the sample was selected
Power calculation…

7. Subjects Are they representative of the target population?
Were they randomly selected?
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Are experimental groups matched (Age, sex etc)?
Is there a control group?

8. Methods Should describe in great detail how the study was carried out
It should enable the reader to potentially replicate the study

9. Results
Should list as simply as possible the data that specifically addresses the original objectives or hypothesis of the study
Should be concise and to the point

10. Statistical Analyses
Selection of appropriate statistical tests according to the type of data gathered
Study of interactions between various variables
Analysis should be as simple as possible

11. Discussion
Relates finding of present study to previous information in the field
Author can give their own opinion on the importance or application of the results of the study

12. Conclusions Clear conclusions based on the results
The “take-home” message of the study

13. Types of Studies Descriptive / Observational Cross-Experimental
Sectional
Longitudinal
“Traditional” Review
Systemic Review
Meta Analysis
The Cochrane Collaboration

14. The Hierarchy of Evidence
Case Report
Case series
Retrospective comparative studies
Prospective Comparative studies
Randomized Prospective Controlled Trial
Meta of Randomized Controlled Trial

15. Common Mistakes in the Literature
Objectives not clearly stated
Hypothesis (Null) not stated
Introduction too long
No ethical approval
Sample selection not clearly defined

16. Common Mistakes in the Literature
Methods not clearly described
Use of statistical analyses to find meaningful results
Results too long and not relevant
Results not clinically significant
Conclusions not based on results

17. THE NEXT TIME YOU READ A SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE......