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JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists for Every Study Design

Record JBI critical appraisal answers for randomized trials, cohort, analytical cross-sectional, case-control, prevalence, quasi-experimental, qualitative, case series, case report and systematic review studies, and download summary plots.

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Checklist items and how to use them
  1. Q1: Randomization
  2. Q2: Allocation concealment
  3. Q3: Groups similar at baseline
  4. Q4: Participants blinded
  5. Q5: Those delivering treatment blinded
  6. Q6: Groups treated identically apart from the intervention
  7. Q7: Outcome assessors blinded
  8. Q8: Outcomes measured the same way in each group
  9. Q9: Outcomes measured reliably
  10. Q10: Follow-up complete or differences handled
  11. Q11: Analysed in randomized groups
  12. Q12: Appropriate statistical analysis
  13. Q13: Appropriate trial design

Answer the signalling questions in the official tool, then record your judgements here: JBI critical appraisal tools (jbi.global).

StudyQ1Q2Q3Q4Q5Q6Q7Q8Q9Q10Q11Q12Q13AppraisalYes
13/13
11/13
7/12

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JBI checklists end with an overall decision (include, exclude or seek further information) made by the reviewers. Agree in advance how you will decide (for example, which items must be met) and apply it consistently. The yes count is shown for reference only.

Summary plot

Traffic light plot

StudyQ1Q2Q3Q4Q5Q6Q7Q8Q9Q10Q11Q12Q13AppraisalExample study 1+++++++++++++Example study 2++?+++×++++++Example study 3+×?++–+?+×++×Q1: RandomizationQ2: Allocation concealmentQ3: Groups similar at baselineQ4: Participants blindedQ5: Those delivering treatment blindedQ6: Groups treated identically apart from the interventionQ7: Outcome assessors blindedQ8: Outcomes measured the same way in each groupQ9: Outcomes measured reliablyQ10: Follow-up complete or differences handledQ11: Analysed in randomized groupsQ12: Appropriate statistical analysisQ13: Appropriate trial design+Yes×No?Unclear–Not applicable✓Include?Seek further info×Exclude

Summary plot

Q1. Randomization100%Q2. Allocation concealment67%33%Q3. Groups similar at baseline33%67%Q4. Participants blinded100%Q5. Those delivering treatment blinded100%Q6. Groups treated identically apart from the intervention67%33%Q7. Outcome assessors blinded67%33%Q8. Outcomes measured the same way in each group67%33%Q9. Outcomes measured reliably100%Q10. Follow-up complete or differences handled67%33%Q11. Analysed in randomized groups100%Q12. Appropriate statistical analysis100%Q13. Appropriate trial design67%33%Overall appraisal0%25%50%75%100%YesNoUnclearNot applicableIncludeSeek further infoExclude
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How to Use the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists

  1. 1

    Choose the study design

    The matching JBI checklist items appear.

  2. 2

    Answer each item

    Yes, no, unclear or not applicable, using the official checklist.

  3. 3

    Record the appraisal decision

    Include, exclude or seek further information, then download the plots.

About the JBI critical appraisal tools

JBI publishes critical appraisal checklists for most study designs used in evidence synthesis. Each item is answered yes, no, unclear or not applicable, and the reviewers then decide whether to include or exclude the study or seek further information.

JBI has revised several checklists as risk-of-bias tools: randomized controlled trials in 2023 (13 items), cohort studies in 2025 (11 items) and analytical cross-sectional studies in 2026 (8 items). The item topics here follow the current versions; the full questions and guidance are in the official checklists.

How it is calculated

Sources

JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists: FAQ

Is there a JBI score cut-off for inclusion?

The checklists do not set one. Decide in advance how answers lead to inclusion or exclusion and apply the rule consistently.

Which JBI checklist should I use for a cross-sectional survey of prevalence?

Use the prevalence checklist for studies estimating how common a condition is, and the analytical cross-sectional checklist for studies of associations.

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