- Questions to Evaluate a Review Article (continued)
- Were the results of the primary studies displayed so that confidence intervals and trends could be evaluated?
- Did the authors "funnel" the study results? That is, were the results of the individual articles used in the review displayed in such a way that you could tell which way most of the articles were pointing?
- Were the findings of the primary studies combined appropriately?
- Were the findings of the review consistent with the largest and best of the original research studies?
- Who funded the research?
Remember, a review article on treatment must be able to stand up to the quality measures of an original research article on treatment, as must the articles in other categories.
- Questions to Evaluate a Screening Test
- Was the study randomized?
- Are there efficacious treatments for the disorder?
- Does the current burden of suffering warrant screening?
- Does the screening test have a high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value? (See diagnostic testing evaluation.)
- Is this outcome something the health system wants to direct dollars to?
- Will patients accept the screening test?
- Who funded the research?
- How does this screening test affect outcome? (See articles evaluating therapy.)
