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Appraisal of cross-sectional studies

Many critical appraisal tools exist for various types of study (e.g. CASP , CEBM and AMSTAR) but there is no validated tool for cross-sectional studies, which are common in the veterinary literature. The aim of this study was to develop a tool for the critical appraisal of cross-sectional studies.

A framework for critical appraisal of cross-sectional studies was identified by the CEVM, and a Delphi panel of experts in evidence-based medicine and epidemiology was then established. The Delphi panel was used to reach a consensus on the questions that should be included in a critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies.

Key results:

• A 20 point appraisal tool has been developed
• A support document compiled to help readers use the tool

A scientific paper detailing this work (including the appraisal tool and help document) has now been published:

• Downes, M.J., Brennan, M.L., Williams, H.C. & Dean, R.S. (2016) Development of a critical appraisal tool to assess the quality of cross-sectional studies (AXIS). BMJ Open 6, e011458.doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011458

Contacts:

Martin Downes, Rachel Dean, Marnie Brennan