Critical Appraisal of Scientific Literature

Abstract

Despite the relatively small size of our profession, there is abundant scientific literature within the field of forensic pathology. The written word does not imply truth, however, and it is vitally important that the forensic pathologist approach the literature with a critical eye and understand how to evaluate a paper for oneself and come to a conclusion regarding its validity and the level of evidence it provides. The purpose of this paper is to provide a basic outline of the concepts important to critically reviewing a scientific paper; not so much as a peer reviewer, but rather as a practicing medical consumer of information. It will outline the key steps in approaching and reading a scientific study: identifying the type of study the paper represents, describing the process of critically reading the paper, assessing its scientific quality, describing various types of errors and where to look for them within the paper, and assessing the level of evidence provided in the study.