Research article review

Assessment 1 template: Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .pdf Download Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .pdf

Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .docx Download Assessment 1 Critical Appraisal RCT template .docx

Choose one of the following three primary research studies for use in your assessment:

1. Grgoire, S., Beaulieu, F., Lachance, L., Bouffard, T., Vezeau, C., & Perreault, M. (2024). An online peer support program to improve mental health among university students: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of American College Health, 72(7), 2001-2013. An online peer support program to improve mental health among university students_ A randomized cont.pdf Download An online peer support program to improve mental health among university students_ A randomized cont.pdf

https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/doi/full/10.1080/07448481.2022.2099224

2. Castellote-Caballero, Y., Carceln-Fraile, M. D. C., Aibar-Almazn, A., Rivas-Campo, Y., & Gonzlez-Martn, A. M. (2024). Yoga as a therapeutic approach to mental health in university students: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in public health, 12, 1406937.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1406937/full Links to an external site.

3. Tchalla, A., Marchesseau, D., Cardinaud, N., Laubarie-Mouret, C., Mergans, T., Kajeu, P. J., … & Gayot, C. (2025). Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hospital readmissions in older patients with chronic disease: The eCOBAHLT randomized controlled trial.Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 31(2), 231-238. Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hospital readmissions in older patients with chronic disease-1.pdf Download Effectiveness of a home-based telesurveillance program in reducing hospital readmissions in older patients with chronic disease-1.pdf

Resources for Critical appraisal

1. Barker et al 2023 Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for critical appraisal: Critical appraisal of RCTs Revised Checklist for RCTs_updated_1 (5).docx Download Revised Checklist for RCTs_updated_1 (5).docx

https://jbi.global/critical-appraisal-tools Links to an external site.

2. CONSORT2025 Statement: updated guideline for reporting randomised trials https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/consort/ Links to an external site.

3. Cochrane Handbook Chapter 8: Assessing risk of bias in a randomized trial https://www-cochrane-org.ezproxy.newcastle

Description

For this assessment select one of the three randomised controlled trials (RCT) provided on Canvas and critique it using the 13 short-answer questions from the revised JBI critical appraisal tool for RCTs (Barker et al., 2023). Your answers must demonstrate understanding of RCT methods and be supported by evidence and references.

What you must do

Choose & read one from the three RCTs provided on the Canvas Assignments page. Download the full text and read carefully (research question, eligibility, methods, results, conclusions).

Download the assessment template from Canvas and follow its short-answer structure. Use the JBI checklist paper for interpreting any items youre unsure about:

Barker TH, Stone JC, Sears K, Klugar M, Tufanaru C, Leonardi-Bee J, Aromataris E, Munn Z. The revised JBI critical appraisal tool for the assessment of risk of bias for randomized controlled trials. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2023;21(3):494506.

Answer all 13 JBI questions for your selected RCT. For each question:

Give a direct, evidence-based answer about the trial (yes/no/unclear/not applicable + brief justification).

Support your judgement with direct evidence from the trial (page/section/quote or paraphrase) and with at least one methodological reference (textbook, CONSORT guidance, Cochrane Handbook, JBI paper, or similar) explaining why that feature matters.

If a required detail is not reported in the trial, say so and explain the likely impact on risk of bias.

Reference properly. Use APA 7. Include the RCT you critiqued and all methodological sources you cite.

Formatting & submission:

Use the Canvas template

Keep answers concise but clear (one short paragraph per question, approximately 75200 words for each question).

Submit by the deadline in Canvas.

JBI short-answer questions (answer each for your chosen RCT)

Question 1: Was true randomization used for assignment of participants to treatment groups?

Question 2: Was allocation to groups concealed?

Question 3: Were treatment groups similar at the baseline?

Question 4: Were participants blind to treatment assignment?

Question 5: Were those delivering the treatment blind to treatment assignment?

Question 6: Were treatment groups treated identically other than the intervention of interest?

. Question 7: Were outcome assessors blind to treatment assignment?

Question 8: Were outcomes measured in the same way for treatment groups?

Question 9: Were outcomes measured in a reliable way?

Question 10: Was follow up complete and if not, were differences between groups in terms of their follow up adequately described and analysed?

Question 11: Were participants analysed in the groups to which they were randomized?

Question 12: Was appropriate statistical analysis used?

Question 13: Was the trial design appropriate and any deviations from the standard RCT design (individual randomization, parallel groups) accounted for in the conduct and analysis of the trial?

How to justify your judgements (evidence & references)

Primary evidence: always cite the trial itself (section, page, table/figure). Example: MethodsRandomisation (p.4), A computer-generated random sequence…

Methodological support: for each judgement cite at least one methodological authority explaining why the item matters (e.g., Barker et al. 2023; CONSORT 2010 statement; Cochrane Handbook chapters on RCT bias; standard epidemiology texts). These show you understand why the feature affects bias.

When reporting is absent: state not reported and explain the likely consequence (e.g., unclear allocation concealment increases risk of selection bias), with a methodological citation.

Short example (model answer structure for one question)

Q2. Allocation concealment

Answer (trial evidence): The trial reports allocation envelopes were used (Methods, p.5) but does not state whether envelopes were sequentially numbered, opaque, or sealed.

Judgement: Allocation concealment Unclear / Probably high risk. Because the method lacks details (non-sequential/transparent envelopes allow potential foreknowledge), selection bias is possible.

Supporting methodological reference: Barker et al. (2023) explain that adequate concealment (e.g., central randomisation or sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes) prevents selection bias and is distinct from sequence generation.

(Add full citation list at end.)

Final checklist before submission

I selected only one RCT from the three provided.

I answered all 13 short-answer JBI items in the Canvas template.

Each answer includes: trial evidence + methodological reference.

References are complete and formatted per course