APPENDIX E
Appraisal Guide:
Findings of a Qualitative Study
Citation:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Synopsis
What experience, situation, or subculture does the researcher seek to understand?
Does the researcher want to produce a description of an experience, a social process, or an event, or is the goal to generate a theory?
How was data collected?
How did the researcher control his or her biases and preconceptions?
Are specific pieces of data (e.g., direct quotes) and more generalized statements (themes, theories) included in the report?
What are the main findings of the study?
Credibility
Is the study published in a source that required peer review? Yes No Not clear
Were the methods used appropriate to the study purpose? Yes No Not clear
Was the sampling of observations or interviews appropriate and varied enough to serve the purpose of the study? Yes No Not clear
*Were data collection methods effective in obtaining in-depth data? Yes No Not clear
Did the data collection methods avoid the possibility of oversight, underrepresentation, or overrepresentation from certain types of sources? Yes No Not clear
Were data collection and analysis intermingled in a dynamic way? Yes No Not clear
*Is the data presented in ways that provide a vivid portrayal of what was experienced or happened and its context? Yes No Not clear
*Does the data provided justify generalized statements, themes, or theory? Yes No Not clear
Are the findings credible? Yes All Yes Some No
Clinical Significance
*Are the findings rich and informative? Yes No Not clear
*Is the perspective provided potentially useful in providing insight, support, or guidance for assessing patient status or progress? Yes Some No Not clear
Are the findings clinically significant? Yes All Yes Some No
* = Important criteria
Comments
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
APP E-2 Brown
Brown APP E-1