1  Cover

      2  Title Page

      3  Copyright

      4  Acknowledgements

      5  Preface to the First Edition

      6  Preface to the Second Edition

      7  CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Critical Appraisal The aims of critical appraisal Three stages of critical appraisal

      8  CHAPTER 2: Do Not Read the Paper The initial interrogation The in‐depth interrogation

      9  CHAPTER 3: Identifying the Research Design Surveys Cohort studies Case–control studies RCTs Cohort studies that evaluate the effectiveness of interventions Systematic reviews

      10  CHAPTER 4: Interpreting the Results The effect size Taking the play of chance into account Factors that distort the effect size Questionable research practices Conclusion

      11  CHAPTER 5: The In‐Depth Interrogation Bias Critical questions for bias Important questions for bias Indicative questions for bias Questions about value Conclusion

      12  CHAPTER 6: Appraising Surveys The critical bias questions for bias The complete list for appraising surveys*

      13  CHAPTER 7: Appraising Cohort Studies The critical questions for bias The important questions for bias The indicative questions for risk of bias The complete list for the appraisal of cohort studies*

      14  CHAPTER 8: Appraising Case–Control Studies The critical questions for bias The important questions for bias The complete list for the appraisal of case–control studies*

      15  CHAPTER 9: Appraising Randomised Controlled Trials The critical questions for bias The important questions for bias The questions of value The complete list for the appraisal of clinical trials*

      16  CHAPTER 10: Cohort Studies That Evaluate the Effectiveness of Interventions Overview of advantages of cohort treatment studies and challenges for critical appraisal The critical questions for bias The important questions for bias The questions of value Conclusion The complete list for the appraisal of cohort studies that evaluate interventions

      17  CHAPTER 11: Appraising Systematic Reviews The critical questions for risk of bias The important questions for risk of bias The questions of value The complete list for the appraisal of systematic reviews*

      18  CHAPTER 12: Summarising Risk of Bias Identify the risk of bias of the research designs Review the biases in study design, conduct, and interpretation Derive an overall rating Summary

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