Systematic Reviews: Appraisal & Analysis

3.6.1 Systematically assess the risk of bias, using predefined criteria
3.6.2 Assess the relevance of the study’s populations, interventions, and outcome measures
3.6.3 Assess the fidelity of the implementation of interventions

See Chapter 8: Assessing risk of bias in included studies

Chapters on evaluating studies.

The working group has developed a common, sensible and transparent approach to grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations.

(from AHRQ - "Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews")

This is a chapter from "Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews."

Nonrandomised studies, including case-control and cohort studies, can be challenging to implement and conduct. Assessment of the quality of such studies is essential for a proper understanding of nonrandomised studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) is an ongoing collaboration between the Universities of Newcastle, Australia and Ottawa, Canada. It was developed to assess the quality of nonrandomised studies with its design, content and ease of use directed to the task of incorporating the quality assessments in the interpretation of meta-analytic results.

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (short GRADE) Working Group began in the year 2000 as an informal collaboration of people with an interest in addressing the shortcomings of present grading systems in health care. The working group has developed a common, sensible and transparent approach to grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Many international organizations have provided input into the development of the approach and have started using it.

Oxford-Centre for Evidence Based Medicine

Am Fam Physician. 2004 Feb 1;69(3):548-56. PubMed PMID: 14971837