title: A guide to the appraisal of research: 1. The nature of research.
abstract: Evidence-based dentistry has grown in recent years. The oceans of journals and research papers can be difficult to navigate. Gauging the quality of such publications and, more importantly, their clinical relevance may be challenging.This narrative review explores the nature and relevance of dental research to clinical dentistry and provides simple guidelines for critical appraisal of such research. In this respect, all dental clinical practice should be underpinned, where possible, with evidence that treatments carried out are contemporary and effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A working knowledge of dental research and its relevance to clinical practice should allow practitioners to select best evidence to inform their clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham Dental Hospital and School, St. Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, UK.
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.forename: F J Trevor
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Shuva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D032761:Animal Experimentation; D015982:Bias; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018865:Dental Research / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012196:Review Literature as Topic