Evaluating and researching the effectiveness of educational interventions.

of the study itself. (b) Does it discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of the study in relation to other studies? Strengths and weaknesses should then be discussed in relation to previous studies. Any differences in results, and why different conclusions have been reached, should particularly be emphasised. (c) Does it discuss the meaning and implications of the results? Next, the “meaning” of the study in terms of possible mechanisms, and implications for clinicians or policy makers, needs to be explored but should not be overstated. (d) Does it discuss the need for further work? Finally, questions that remain unanswered and what future work is needed should be discussed without being speculative.