How to appraise research: elements of sound applied design.

These factors are important to consider when appraising the strength of research evidence. Although all studies have limitations, applied designs that address many of the factors described here can provide stronger evidence of the effectiveness of occupational therapy intervention. This appraisal process is critical not only to build the profession's body of evidence but also to ensure that our evidence is considered scientifically sound and credible by insurers, fellow health care professionals, and consumers.