Table 1 Appraisal tool for qualitative papers

Was the aim or the research question clear?

Is a qualitative methodology appropriate?

Detailed questions

Was the research design appropriate to address the aims of the research?

Was the recruitment strategy appropriate to the aims of the research?

Were the data collected in a way that addressed the research issue?

Is there evidence of reflexivity?

Have ethical issues been taken into account/have the ethical implications been considered appropriately?

Was the data analysis sufficiently rigorous?

Is there a clear statement of findings?

How valuable do we think the research is to this body of knowledge?