INTRODUCTING CRITICALLY APPRAISED PAPERS: PURPOSE AND PROCEDURES

Abstract

In busy clinical settings, it can be difficult to find time to access research evidence to inform practice. As one means to address this problem, the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ) has introduced a new department called Critically Appraised Papers (CAPs). The purpose of the CAPs department of AOTJ is to provide 1-page summaries of quantitative or qualitative research relevant to occupational therapy clinical practice. Articles that are of sound methodological quality, and which will help keep occupational therapists up-to-date with recent advances in their profession, are selected. For each article, a structured abstract is provided, accompanied by a commentary. The purpose of the commentary is to provide an appraisal of the published study, place this study in the context of other research, and discuss implications for practice and future research. Each issue of AOTJ will include up to four CAPs. Preference will be given to appraising systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials to provide information about treatment effectiveness, although there may be occasions where studies using other research methodologies are included. Rigorously performed qualitative research will also be included to provide information about clients’ experiences and concerns.