Critical appraissal in medical education research

Abstract

Introduction: Critical reading of medical research reports is the essence of evidence-based medicine. In order to simplify the approach to the numerous published articles, various guidelines have been used for each study design, resulting in the creation of CONSORT, STROBE,  QUORUM, and PRISMA.
Research in medical education is underdeveloped, and although there are several guidelines focusing on the approach to these articles, they are not widespread, thus limiting their
evaluation with methodological rigour.
The most frequently analysed designs used in medical education in our field are briefly reviewed: instrument validation, educational interventions, and surveys.
The most relevant characteristics of each design are referred to, including: the author's position, the use of valid and dependable instruments and their validation process, the dependent variable, educational strategies, non-parametric statistics, results and discussion.
Three guidelines relating to the previously referred designs are also briefly presented, underscoring their methodological aspects.

Comments: Knowledge of the theoretical aspects of educational research is irreplaceable when appraising medical education research reports. However, guidelines may initially  support the critical analysis of published articles.