Appraise qualitative studies with CASP and grade synthesis confidence with GRADE-CERQual, without excluding studies on quality grounds¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The protocol pairs a structured appraisal tool with a confidence-grading approach for qualitative synthesis. It states: "The methodological quality of the included studies will be appraised using the 10-item Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies". Three authors independently assess each study, with disagreements resolved through discussion or a further team member. Confidence in the synthesis findings is then evaluated using GRADE-CERQual, and findings are contextualised in relation to the quality appraisal. This workflow supports transparent handling of methodologically variable qualitative evidence.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Two or more independent reviewers applying the CASP checklist with a documented disagreement-resolution procedure
• CERQual assessment summarising confidence in each synthesis finding, contextualised against appraisal results

Constraints¶

• No studies will be excluded based on quality; a reviewer asks how studies with major methodological limitations will influence interpretation during CERQual assessment

Target Learners¶

• Researchers and practitioners synthesising qualitative evidence on AAC and inclusive education

Target Learning Goals¶

• Producing trustworthy, confidence-graded findings on stakeholder experiences of AAC implementation

Related Strategies¶

• Use SPIDER to structure inclusion criteria and search strings for a qualitative evidence synthesis of AAC in education

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Byrnes C, Moran G, Clarke MT, Caron J, Smith EM, Galvin R, Gallagher AL. (2026). Experiences of Augmentative and Alternative Communication use in School: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol. HRB Open Research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13550906/