Promoting cultural rigour through critical appraisal tools in First Nations peoples’ research

Objective: To highlight the emerging ethos of cultural rigour in the use of critical appraisal tools in research involving First Nations peoples. Methods: Critical reflection on recent systematic review experience. Results: The concept of cultural rigour is notably undefined in peer-reviewed journal articles but is evident in the development of critical appraisal tools developed by First Nations peoples. Conclusions: Conventional critical appraisal tools for assessing study quality are built on a limited view of health that excludes the cultural knowledge of First Nations peoples. Cultural rigour is an emerging field of activity that epitomises First Nations peoples’ diverse cultural knowledge through community participation in all aspects of research. Implications for public health: Critical appraisal tools developed by First Nations peoples are available to researchers and direct attention to the social, cultural, political and human rights basis of health research.