Appraising qualitative research articles in medicine and medical education

Although qualitative research is gaining recognition in medicine and in medical education, most clinical teachers do not know how to perform a critical appraisal of articles in these fields. This article describes a grid for the critical appraisal of qualitative research articles so that clinical teachers are in a better position to evaluate this type of research and to teach the critical appraisal of it. The grid is comprised of 12 items with an explanation and suggestions for additional reading for each item.

[1]  M Rowan,et al.  Qualitative research articles: information for authors and peer reviewers. , 1997, CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne.

[2]  J. Morse.  Designing funded qualitative research. , 1994 .

[3]  J. Morse,et al.  Principles of conceptualizing a qualitative project , 1996 .

[4]  W L Miller,et al.  Qualitative analysis: how to begin making sense. , 1994, Family practice research journal.

[5]  J N Hagemaster,et al.  Ten criteria for evaluating qualitative research proposals. , 1987, The Journal of nursing education.

[6]  N. Burns.  Standards for Qualitative Research , 1989, Nursing science quarterly.

[7]  C. Seale,et al.  Quality in Qualitative Research , 1999 .

[8]  E. Dunn.  Disseminating research, changing practice , 1994 .

[9]  D. Cook,et al.  Users' guides to the medical literature: XXIII. Qualitative research in health care A. Are the results of the study valid? Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. , 2000, JAMA.

[10]  M. Sandelowski.  Sample size in qualitative research. , 1995, Research in nursing & health.

[11]  L. Côté,et al.  Qualitative research in family medicine. An inevitable development. , 2000, Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien.

[12]  G. Bordage.  Considerations on preparing a paper for publication , 1989 .

[13]  M. Patton,et al.  Qualitative evaluation and research methods , 1992 .

[14]  A. Strauss,et al.  Basics of Qualitative Research , 1992 .

[15]  Carol Grbich,et al.  Qualitative Research in Health: An Introduction , 1999 .

[16]  K. Devers.  How will we know "good" qualitative research when we see it? Beginning the dialogue in health services research. , 1999, Health services research.

[17]  C. Begley.  Triangulation of communication skills in qualitative research instruments. , 1996, Journal of advanced nursing.

[18]  D. Cook,et al.  Users' guides to the medical literature: XXIII. Qualitative research in health care B. What are the results and how do they help me care for my patients? Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. , 2000, JAMA.