Majid and Vanstone (2018) review and compare quality appraisal tools used to evaluate qualitative research for evidence syntheses.
The authors examine a range of commonly used appraisal tools and highlight the challenges of assessing quality in qualitative research due to differing philosophical and methodological perspectives. They argue that no single appraisal tool is appropriate for all purposes and that tool selection should reflect the aims and assumptions of the evidence synthesis. The paper provides a practical overview of appraisal frameworks, their strengths, and their limitations. Overall, it serves as a valuable guide for researchers seeking to critically evaluate qualitative studies and make informed decisions about quality assessment in evidence syntheses.