How to Appraise a Scientific Paper

Rather than merely reading a scientific paper, it is important to identify its strengths and weaknesses in order to assess the usefulness and validity of the findings. This allows the reader to decide whether to use the results in their daily clinical work and to practice evidence-based veterinary medicine [1]. A study should pose a relevant and novel research question. The reader should assess whether the study design is appropriate to answer this question, whether suitable statistical methods are used to produce quality results, and whether these results are interpreted in a manner such that the conclusions drawn can be justified [2]. This abstract provides some notes to assist the reader during critical appraisal of a scientific paper ...