Evidence-Based Dentistry: Evaluating
Papers

Start by asking the following questions:

• What journal published the study?
• Who are the authors?
• What are their affiliations?
• Who funded the study?
• Check  Table l. Is it self-explanatory? Relevant?
• Look at the methodology and study design. This is the most important- if the study design is flawed, the analysis doesn't matter. The checklists listed below can guide your evaluation. Look for the following:
  • Population
  • Type of study
  • Unit of observation
  • Measuring techniques
  • Sample Size
• Review the results/discussion including:
  • Implication- Do the results indicate changing practice? Raise further questions? Are they in accord with other work? Are they plausible?
  • Limitations of the study

Results of meta-analyses in Cochrane Reviews are often represented visually by a Forest Plot.  The video below shows what a Forest Plot is and how to interprete one.  Or, read this article: Understanding systematic reviews: the meta-analysis graph (also called 'forest plot').