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HSC 210 and HSC 225: Types of Journal Articles & Evidence

Finding the Right Article for your Needs

Finding the Right Article for your Research Needs

When looking for articles in journals, it is important to keep in mind that there are many types of articles. They can serve different purposes and therefore compliment your research and writing in different ways. You can use this chart to help you decide what type of article is best for your research needs. This chart is not exhaustive and does not include every type of article, but some of the most common types. 

Common Types of Articles

Article Type Definition Advantages/Disadvantages

Systematic Reviews

 Systematic reviews focus on a clinical topic and answer a specific question. An extensive literature search is conducted to identify studies with sound methodology. The studies are reviewed, assessed for quality, and the results summarized according to the predetermined criteria of the review question. Systematic reviews are considered more reliable and accurate than individual studies. They are considered a highly evidence-based resource. However, they tend be very long and can take some time to read.
Meta-Analysis

A meta analysis is done using a method for statistically gathering quantitative studies to develop a single conclusion that has great statistical power 

A meta analysis will provide a conclusion that is statistically stronger than any single study because of its use of increased numbers of subjects, diversity of subjects or accumulated effects and results. However, some authors will have a difficult time identifying appropriate studies since not all studies provide adequate data for inclusion and analysis. A meta analysis also requires advanced statistical techniques. 
Critically Appraised Topics CAT's are a brief evidence based critical appraisal of one or two relevant studies to answer a clinical question. A CAT provides a short and brief review.  However, it is a less rigorous version of a systematic review. It is a single piece of evidence that is summarized and should not be considered a complete representation of the entire body of evidence on a clinical issue.
Randomized Controlled Trials RCT's are clinical trials based on random subject assignment to an experimental or control group. They are considered the gold standard for measuring an intervention's impact across many diverse fields.  Well-designed RCTs are superior to other study designs in estimating an intervention’s true effect. 
Cohort Studies Cohort studies have a control group where a group of people with something in common (a cohort) are followed. This group is compared to another group with similar characteristics/circumstances, with the exception of the factor being investigated. Cohort studies are observational and not as reliable as randomized controlled studies, since the two groups may differ in ways other than in the variable under study.  
Case Reports  Case reports are a collection of reports on the treatment of individual patients or a report on a single patient.  They have little statistical validity because they are individual reports of cases and use no control groups to compare outcomes. 
Expert Opinion  Expert opinion is an authoritative opinion of an expert.  An expert opinion provides anecdotal information from someone with clinical experience which can be valuable; however it is not considered to be evidence-based information.  

Analyzing and Appraising the Literature

Analyzing and Appraising the Literature 

Not all research is created equal or trustworthy. You want to ensure that your research paper includes the best possible evidence. 

Appraisal of Evidence

Type of Evidence

 Description
Systematic Review

Authors have systematically searched for, appraised, and summarized all of the literature for a specific topic

A meta-analysis is a systematic review that uses quantitative methods to summarize the results
Critically Appraised Topics Authors evaluate and synthesize multiple  research studies
Critically Appraised Articles Authors evaluate and synthesize individual research studies 
Randomized Controlled Trials Features a randomized group of patients in both an experimental group and a control group. The groups are followed up to assess variables/outcomes of interest
Cohort Study Identities two groups (cohorts) of patients, one which received the exposure of interest, and one which did not, and follows these cohorts forward for the outcome of interest
Case Control Study Identities patients who have the outcome of interest (cases)and control patients without the same outcome, and examines for exposure of interest
Background Information/Expert Opinion A summary of information that is not necessarily back by research studies. The author(s) is usually a credentialed expert on the particular subject/topic. Can include point-of-care resources, textbooks, and encyclopedias. These provide a good foundation/introduction/overview on a specific conditions, drug, disease, etc. ​

Adapted from Evidence Based Practice Toolkit from Winona State University.

Accuracy 
Just because information is published in a book, journal or on the web, does not guarantee that it is accurate.

Questions to Ask:

  • Is the information referenced so that you can verify the accuracy? Are citations and sources listed?
  • Is the information reliable or free from error?
  • Is there evidence to support conclusions?
  • Was the information reviewed by editors or subject experts before it was published?
Authority
Authority is the source of the information. A good authority will provide information to verify who they are and include sufficient credentials or contact information.
Questions to Ask:
  • Who is the author? What are the credentials of the author? With whom are they affiliated with? Does their affiliation affect their credibility?
  • Is the author an expert on the subject?
  • Does the author have contact information available?
  • Who is the publisher? Is the publisher reputable?
  • Is the publisher scholarly? Or is the publisher commercial, a self-publisher or government? What else has the publisher published?
Objectivity 
It is important to keep in mind that all sources have the potential to have a bias no matter what format (book, article or website) and no matter who is responsible for the material (author, publisher or funding source),
Questions to Ask:
•What is the purpose? What are the authors trying to accomplish?
•What topics are covered? 
•Is the information fact or opinion?
•Is there a particular position on the subject? Can you detect a bias? 

Currency

The currency of a resource is important because information from older sources may be outdated, inaccurate or superseded by more recent publications.

Questions to Ask:

  • When was the information created or last updated? Is there a date for when the information was last revised?
  • Is the information still valid? Has it been superseded by newer research? 
  • On websites, do the links still work? If not, it may be an indication that the information has not been updated recently.

Coverage 

Think about if the information adequately covers the subject. Look for a statement describing the purpose of the source.

Questions to Ask:

  • Is the information relevant to your assignment?
  • Who was it written for? Was it written for a general audience, consumers or people in a specific profession?
  • Is the information complete? How in depth is the information?

CRAAP is an acronym for the general categories of criteria that can be used to evaluate information you find. Developed at the Meriam Library at California State University-Chico, the CRAAP Test is a list of questions to keep in mind as you evaluate your sources.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

Authority: The source of the information

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

Purpose: The reason the information exists