Medical Research Appraisal Paper
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) Paper Template
1. Title Page:
• Title
• Name
• Course
• Date
2. Introduction (~1-2 paragraphs)
• Briefly describe the problem or clinical question.
• State Focused Question
• State PICO information in PICO format:
o Patient/Problem
o Intervention
o Comparison
o Outcome
3. Literature Search Strategy: (use table example below)
• Databases searched
• Search terms used
• Inclusion and Exclusion criteria
o Year range, study design, population characteristics, language, etc.
Databases Searched Search Terms Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
4. Summary of Selected Studies: (evidence table)
• Evidence Table
o Summarize 3 articles you selected for the paper:
Author & Year, Study Design, Population / Sample Size, Intervention, and Key Findings
5. Critical Appraisal: (~2-4 paragraphs)
• Summarize each article in your own words. Focus on study design, methods, results, and relevance to the focused question
o Strengths of the studies:
1. Large sample size?
2. Randomized design?
3. Valid and reliable measurement tools?
4. Relevant to clinical practice?
o Limitations of the studies:
1. Potential sources of bias?
2. Small sample size?
3. Short follow-up period?
4. Lack of diversity in participants?
o Overall quality and consistency of evidence:
1. Are the results similar across studies?
2. Do all studies point toward the same conclusion?
6. Synthesis of Evidence: (~2-3 paragraphs)
• Compare and contrast results from all studies:
o What patterns or themes appear in the findings?
o Are there conflicting results?
o What might explain the differences?
o What gaps exist in the research?
7. Implications for Practice (~1–2 paragraphs)
• Based on this evidence, what should clinicians consider doing in practice?
• What recommendations can you make for patients, clinicians, or healthcare systems?
• What further research is needed?
8. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
• Restate the research question.
• Summarize the key findings.
• End with a concise takeaway message.
9. References
• Use APA format.
• List the 3 sources cited in the paper.
• Will cover how to use Zotero to populate reference page in Week 7 video
Formatting Reminders
• 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. APA format
• Keep your writing in your own words—do not copy text from the articles.
1. Title Page:
• Title
• Name
• Course
• Date
2. Introduction (~1-2 paragraphs)
• Briefly describe the problem or clinical question.
• State Focused Question
• State PICO information in PICO format:
o Patient/Problem
o Intervention
o Comparison
o Outcome
3. Literature Search Strategy: (use table example below)
• Databases searched
• Search terms used
• Inclusion and Exclusion criteria
o Year range, study design, population characteristics, language, etc.
Databases Searched Search Terms Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria
4. Summary of Selected Studies: (evidence table)
• Evidence Table
o Summarize 3 articles you selected for the paper:
Author & Year, Study Design, Population / Sample Size, Intervention, and Key Findings
5. Critical Appraisal: (~2-4 paragraphs)
• Summarize each article in your own words. Focus on study design, methods, results, and relevance to the focused question
o Strengths of the studies:
1. Large sample size?
2. Randomized design?
3. Valid and reliable measurement tools?
4. Relevant to clinical practice?
o Limitations of the studies:
1. Potential sources of bias?
2. Small sample size?
3. Short follow-up period?
4. Lack of diversity in participants?
o Overall quality and consistency of evidence:
1. Are the results similar across studies?
2. Do all studies point toward the same conclusion?
6. Synthesis of Evidence: (~2-3 paragraphs)
• Compare and contrast results from all studies:
o What patterns or themes appear in the findings?
o Are there conflicting results?
o What might explain the differences?
o What gaps exist in the research?
7. Implications for Practice (~1–2 paragraphs)
• Based on this evidence, what should clinicians consider doing in practice?
• What recommendations can you make for patients, clinicians, or healthcare systems?
• What further research is needed?
8. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
• Restate the research question.
• Summarize the key findings.
• End with a concise takeaway message.
9. References
• Use APA format.
• List the 3 sources cited in the paper.
• Will cover how to use Zotero to populate reference page in Week 7 video
Formatting Reminders
• 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. APA format
• Keep your writing in your own words—do not copy text from the articles.