The Development of a Critical Appraisal Tool for Use in Systematic Reviews: Addressing Questions of Prevalence

International Journal of Health Policy & Management (IJHPM), Vol. 3, p. 123, 2014, DOI: 10.15171/ijhpm.2014.71

6 Pages Posted: 29 Aug 2014

See all articles by Zachary Munn

Zachary Munn

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Sandeep Moola

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Dagmara Riitano

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Karolina Lisy

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Date Written: August 13, 2014

Abstract

Background: Recently there has been a significant increase in the number of systematic reviews addressing questions of prevalence. Key features of a systematic review include the creation of an a priori protocol, clear inclusion criteria, a structured and systematic search process, critical appraisal of studies, and a formal process of data extraction followed by methods to synthesize, or combine, this data. Currently there exists no standard method for conducting critical appraisal of studies in systematic reviews of prevalence data. Methods: A working group was created to assess current critical appraisal tools for studies reporting prevalence data and develop a new tool for these studies in systematic reviews of prevalence. Following the development of this tool it was piloted amongst an experienced group of sixteen healthcare researchers. Results: The results of the pilot found that this tool was a valid approach to assessing the methodological quality of studies reporting prevalence data to be included in systematic reviews. Participants found the tool acceptable and easy to use. Some comments were provided which helped refine the criteria. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study found that this tool was well-accepted by users and further refinements have been made to the tool based on their feedback. We now put forward this tool for use by authors conducting prevalence systematic reviews.

Keywords: Prevalence; Survey; Critical Appraisal; Systematic Review

Suggested Citation

Munn, Zachary and Moola, Sandeep and Riitano, Dagmara and Lisy, Karolina, The Development of a Critical Appraisal Tool for Use in Systematic Reviews: Addressing Questions of Prevalence (August 13, 2014). International Journal of Health Policy & Management (IJHPM), Vol. 3, p. 123, 2014, DOI: 10.15171/ijhpm.2014.71, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2488356

Zachary Munn (Contact Author)

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences ( email )

Australia

Sandeep Moola

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences ( email )

Australia

Dagmara Riitano

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences ( email )

Australia

Karolina Lisy

University of Adelaide - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences ( email )

Australia

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