HURLEY, DENEGAR, & HERTEL / Research Methods: A Framework for Evidence-Based 1

Clinical Practice/Ch03/Answers to Critical Thinking Questions

Chapter 3 Answers to Critical Thinking Questions

1. What is the greatest challenge for many practitioners who wish to engage in evidence-

based clinical practice?

 Answer: The greatest challenge for many practitioners who wish to engage in evidence-

based clinical practice is determining how to address research into prevention,

diagnostics, and intervention outcomes.

2. What three key questions are included in the suggestions offered by CASP (2006) as

general guidelines for critical appraisal?

 Answer: Included in these suggestions are the following three key questions: (1) Is the

study valid?, (2) What are the results?, and (3) Will the results help my patients?

3. How should students and clinicians conduct critical appraisals of the research literature?

 Answer: Students and clinicians should conduct critical appraisals based on evaluating

the strength of the research evidence and how it connects to the clinical problem. Then

students and clinicians should draw highly plausible, evidence-based conclusions.