TABLE 3.

Quantitative studies critical appraisal checklist.

Criteria	Yes	No
1. Aims and objectives clearly stated	4	0
2. Hypothesis or research question clearly specified	2	0
3. Dependent and independent variables clearly stated	3	1
4. Variables adequately operationalised	4	0
5. Design adequately described	4	0
6. Method appropriate	4	0
7. Instrument used tested for reliability and validity	3	1
8. Sample, inclusion or exclusion and response rate described	4	0
9. Statistical errors discussed	4	0
10. Ethical consideration	3	1
11. Was the study piloted?	3	1
12. Statistical analysis appropriate	4	0
13. Results reported and clear	4	0
14. Results reported related to hypothesis and literature	4	0
15. Limitations reported	3	1
16. Conclusions do not go beyond limit of data and results	4	0
17. Findings able to be generalised	1	3
18. Implications discussed	4	0
19. Conflict of interest with sponsor	1	3
20. Data available for scrutiny and re-analysis	1	3

Source: Bowling, A., 2009, Research methods in health: Investigating health and health services, Open University Press, Maidenhead.