Reference no: EM133460202

Question: Read the paper carefully, and conduct a critical appraisal of this study using the criteria detailed below. Here is the Civil Protection article for discussion.

Answer the  following questions; (if there are any areas that you deem not applicable-  indicate the same in relation to the question)

• The objectives of the study
• The study design
• Rationale for the selection of the study approach
• The general strengths and weaknesses of the chosen design
• The specific strengths and weaknesses of the design identified in the article
• Is the design appropriate to answer the research question?
• The selection of participants
• How was the sample population defined?
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study population
• How were the cases and the comparison group(s) identified?
• The exposure/risk factor of interest
• What were the outcomes of interest? How were they defined and measured?
• Potential sources of error. Were there bias and confounders? How were they handled?
• Did the study have operational problems such as losses to follow-up and changes in management of participants?
•  What measures of association were used?  Relative risk ratios or odds ratios? Were they adequately used?
•  The strength of association observed and the precision of estimates
•  Whether claims of effectiveness or ineffectiveness of an intervention or exposure are appropriate
•  Whether results are clinically meaningful and/or have public health implications.
•  Is the sample representative of the population as a whole?
•  Were outcomes assessed using objective criteria and measured in a reliable way?
• Was appropriate statistical analysis used?
• Were data collection tools shown or known to be valid for the outcome of interest?
• Was follow-up carried out over a sufficient time period?
• Were the data collected in a way that addressed the research question?
• Was the data analysis sufficiently rigorous?
• Is there a clear statement of findings?
• What findings were reported in the study?
• If the study specified measurable or quantifiable targets, did the intervention achieve these objectives?
•  Were reported intervention effects examined among sub-groups of the target population?
•  Should any other important sub-group effects have been considered that were not considered?