Critical Appraisal in the Context of Integrations of Qualitative Evidence in Applied Psychology: The Introduction of a New Appraisal Tool for Interview Studies

Abstract

There are varied approaches to the use of appraisal guidelines in qualitative research (QR). Drawing on my experience of critically appraising interview-based studies, included in a qualitative review in psychotherapy research that is under preparation, I reached the following conclusion: that such an appraisal process could benefit from the employment of appraisal criteria that would facilitate a consistent, transparent, and comprehensive comparative appraisal of the included studies. To meet these requirements, I have developed a new, qualitative appraisal tool which, unlike existing appraisal frameworks, uses highly operationalised and specialised criteria tailored to the needs of interview studies in psychology/psychotherapy. I believe that this tool could be highly suitable for assisting with the appraisal process in similar reviews integrating qualitative evidence. Here I present this tool for consideration and discuss its potential practical utility and its theoretical implications for the field of QR in psychology. I finally recommend safeguards against its uncritical use.

Keywords:

• critical appraisal
• appraisal criteria
• literature review
• qualitative synthesis
• qualitative integration
• interview studies

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Venetia Leonidaki

Venetia Leonidaki currently works as a Clinical Psychologist in the Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. She obtained a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Essex in 2012. Her primary research interests lie in psychotherapy and qualitative research, including clients’ experiences of psychological therapy, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, and qualitative reviews of the literature.