Who conducted the research? What were/are their interests?
When and where was the research conducted?
Why did the authors do this research?
Do the authors report any conflict of interest?
Was this research pertinent only within the authors’ geographic locale, or did it have broader (even global) relevance?
Were many other laboratories pursuing related research when the reported work was done? If so, why?
For experimental research, what funding sources met the costs of the research?
On what prior observations were the research-based? What was and was not known at the time?
How important was the research question posed by the researchers?
Does the title precisely state the subject of the paper?
Read the abstract – Does the statement of purpose match the one in the introduction?
Check the sequence of statements in the introduction. Does all the information lead coherently to the purpose of the study?
Identify the specific purpose (thesis statement or research question) for this paper.
Review all methods in relation to the objective(s) of the study. Are the methods valid for studying the problem?
Are both inclusion and exclusion criteria described?
Is there an attempt to limit bias in the selection of the participant groups?
Are there methodological protocols (i.e. blinding) used to limit other possible biases?
Do the methods limit the influence of confounding variables?
Check the methods for essential information. Could the study be duplicated from the methods and information given?
Check the methods for flaws. Is the sample selection adequate? Is the experimental design sound?
Check the sequence of statements in the methods. Does all the information belong there? Is the sequence of methods clear and pertinent?
Was there mention of ethics? Which research ethics board approved the study? Carefully examine the data presented in the tables and diagrams. Does the title or legend accurately describe the content?
Are column headings and labels accurate?
Are the data organized for ready comparison and interpretation? (A table should be self-explanatory, with a title that accurately and concisely describes content and column headings that accurately describe information in the cells.)
Review the results as presented in the text while referring to the data in the tables and diagrams. Does the text complement, and not simply repeat data?
Are there discrepancies between the results in the text and those in the tables?
Check all calculations and presentation of data.
Review the results in light of the stated objectives. Does the study reveal what the researchers intended?
Is there a table that describes the subjects’ demographics?
Are the baseline demographics similar?
Are the subjects generalizable?
Are the statistical tests appropriate for the study design and study question?
Are the results statistically significant and how large is the difference between groups?
Is the evidence of significance fishing (i.e. changing statistical tests to ensure significance)? Does the discussion clearly address the objectives and hypotheses?
Check the interpretation against the results. Does the discussion merely repeat the results?
Do the authors attempt to contextualize non-significant data in an attempt to portray significance? (e.g. talking about findings that trend towards significance as if they were significant).
Does the interpretation arise logically from the data or is it too far-fetched?
Have the faults, flaws, or shortcomings of the research been addressed?
Is the interpretation supported by other research cited in the study?
Does the study consider key studies in the field?
What is the significance of the research? Do the authors mention wider implications of the findings?
Is there a section on recommendations for future research? Are there other research possibilities or directions suggested? Reread the abstract. Does it accurately summarize the article?
Check the structure of the article (first headings and then paragraphing). Is all the material organized under the appropriate headings? Are sections divided logically into subsections or paragraphs?
Are stylistic concerns, logic, clarity, and economy of expression addressed?How did other researchers view the significance of the research reported by your authors?
Did the research reported in your article result in the formulation of new questions or hypotheses (by the authors or by other researchers)?
Have other researchers subsequently supported or refuted the observations or interpretations of these authors?
Did the research make a significant contribution to human knowledge?
Did the research produce any practical applications?
What are the social, political, technological, medical implications of this research?
How do you evaluate the significance of the research?
