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TABLE 7-13: DIMENSIONS OF APPRAISING A SOURCE

Dimension The check question

Does it address the population, phenomenon, outcome, and
Relevance
context required?

Methodological Does the design fit the question, and are the measurement and
quality analysis sound?

What are the possible sources of deviation in selection,
Risk of bias
measurement, and analysis?

Certainty Is the finding precise and consistent with other evidence?

Applicability Can it be applied to the intended population or institution?

Publication status Is this the final version? Is there a correction or a retraction?

Transparency and Who funded the study, and what interests or constraints are
conflicts declared?

TABLE 7-14: WHAT A SOURCE ADDS AND WHAT IT DOES NOT ESTABLISH ON ITS OWN

Type of source What it may add What it does not establish alone

A descriptive Initial trends and contextual
Causation or generalization.
study experience.

An observational
Relationships in real-world data. The absence of confounding.
study

The effect of an intervention
A trial Application in every context.
under defined conditions.

A systematic A composite picture built on That all the studies were
review clear criteria. homogeneous.

Methodological quality or
An official report Broad or recent data.
independence.

A preprint Early access to new results. Final reliance before peer review.

Expert opinion or Interpretation or direction
Truth by consensus alone.
guidance where evidence is thin.

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