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. 2009 Apr 28;180(9):942–945. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.081697
Methods and quality of information Clinical usefulness
  • How was the resource compiled?

  • Were explicit criteria for seeking and appraising evidence described and were they adhered to?

  • How is the resource maintained?


Rating scale for methods and quality of information
  • 0 No evidence cited

  • 1 Evidence is cited but there are no explicit criteria for the selection or the evaluation of the content; the selection of content suggests lack of consistent evidence standards

  • 2 Evidence is cited and there are explicit criteria for the selection or evaluation of the content, or both; the selection of content suggests lack of adherence to these evidence standards

  • 3 Evidence is cited but there are no explicit criteria for the selection or evaluation of the content; the selection of content suggests adherence to some evidence standards

  • 4 Evidence is cited and there are explicit criteria for the selection or evaluation of the content, or both; the selection of content suggests some adherence to evidence standards

  • 5 Evidence is cited and there are explicit criteria for the selection and evaluation of the content; the selection of content suggests adherence to evidence standards most of the time

  • Did the resource provide clinically useful answers?

  • How did you use this resource?

  • Was it easy to use?

  • Were the answers easily accessible and readable within a few minutes?

  • Will you use this resource?

  • If so, when and how?


Rating scale for clinical usefulness
  • 0 Not useful clinically

  • 1 Clinically useful answers are rarely available and are not easily accessible or readable within a few minutes

  • 2 Clinically useful answers are available some of the time but are not easily accessible or readable within a few minutes

  • 3 Clinically useful answers are available some of the time and are easily accessible and readable within a few minutes

  • 4 Clinically useful answers are available most of the time but are not easily accessible or readable within a few minutes

  • 5 Clinically useful answers are available most of the time and are easily accessible and readable within a few minutes