Step 3: Critically Appraising Evidence: Systematic Review or Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies.

Critical appraisal of the evidence is the third step in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process. Many questions in nursing cannot be answered using quantitative methods. We often desire a better understanding of people's lived experiences. In the NICU, these questions may be related to the experiences of families or staff. Qualitative research can provide a deeper understanding of lived experiences. This column, the fifth in a multipart series describing the critical appraisal process focuses on the critical appraisal of a systematic review of qualitative studies.