What is the research question and/or research hypothesis?Ø Are research questions and/or hypotheses explicitly stated? If not, is their absence justified?

Guide to an Overall Critique of a Quantitative Research Report

(10-page limit on the assignment; students should type the critique as a word document. Use the headings in the column labeled “aspects fo the report” to separate each section of your critique. Use this table as a guide to help you find the proper information to include in your critique. Remember your professional writing skills)

Aspect of the Report Critiquing Questions
Title2 pts. Ø Is the title a good one, succinctly suggesting key variables and the study population?Ø List and discuss the key variables.
Ø What population(s) is under study

Abstract2 pts. Ø Does the abstract clearly and concisely summarize the main features of the report (problem, methods, results, conclusions)?Ø Discuss the components of the abstract according to IMRAD
IntroductionStatement of the problem
2 pts.

Ø What is the problem under study?
Ø Is the problem stated unambiguously, and is it easy to identify?

Ø Does the problem statement build a cogent, persuasive argument for the new study?

Ø Does the problem have significance for nursing?

Ø Is there a good match between the research problem and the paradigm and methods used? Is a quantitative approach appropriate?

Hypotheses or research questions
3 pts

Ø What is the research question and/or research hypothesis?Ø Are research questions and/or hypotheses explicitly stated? If not, is their absence justified?
Ø Are questions and hypotheses appropriately worded, with clear specification of key variables and the study population?

Ø Are the questions/hypotheses consistent with the literature review and the conceptual framework?

Literature review2 pts Ø Is the literature review up to date and based mainly on primary sources?Ø Does the literature review provide a state-of-the-art synthesis of evidence on the problem?
Ø Does the literature review provide a sound basis for the new study?

Conceptual/ theoretical framework5 pts Ø ACCORDING TO FAWCETT (remember the concepts you learned in N521), why are theoretical/conceptual models/frameworks important for research?Ø What is the conceptual/theoretical framework on which the research is based?
Ø What are key concepts/variables?

Ø How are key variables operationalized?

Ø Are key concepts adequately defined conceptually?

Ø Is there a conceptual/theoretical framework, rationale, and/or map, and (if so) is it appropriate? If not, is the absence of one justified?

Protection of human rights2 pts Ø Were appropriate procedures used to safeguard the rights of study participants? Was the study externally reviewed by an IRB/ethics review board?Ø Was the study designed to minimize risks and maximize benefits to participants?
Research design5 pts Ø Was the most rigorous possible design used, given the study purpose?Ø Were appropriate comparisons made to enhance interpretability of the findings?
Ø Was the number of data collection points appropriate?

Ø How did the researcher(s) minimize bias and threats to the internal, construct, and external validity of the study (e.g., was blinding used, was attrition minimized)?

Population and sample5 pts Ø Is the population described? Is the sample described in sufficient detail?Ø Was the best possible sampling design used to enhance the sample’s representativeness? Were sampling biases minimized?
Ø Was the sample size adequate? Was a power analysis used to estimate sample size needs?

Data collection and measurement procedures5 pts Ø Are the operational and conceptual definitions congruent?Ø Were key variables operationalized using the best possible method (e.g., interviews, observations, and so on) and with adequate justification?
Ø Are specific data collection instruments adequately described and were they good choices, given the study purpose, variables being studied, and the study population?

Ø Does the report provide evidence that the data collection methods yielded data that were reliable and valid?

Ø What is the intervention? If there is no intervention please state this.

Ø Was the intervention adequately describe.

Ø What did the researchers do to ensure that the intervention was rigorously developed and implemented?

Ø Were data collected in a manner that minimized bias? Were the staff who collected data appropriately trained?

ResultsData analysis
5 pts

Ø What statistical procedures (tests were performed)?
Ø Were analyses undertaken to address each research question or test each hypothesis?

Ø Were appropriate statistical methods used, given the level of measurement of the variables, number of groups being compared, and assumptions of the tests? EXPLAIN

Ø Was the most powerful analytic method used (e.g., did the analysis help to control for confounding variables)?

Ø What is a Type I error

Ø What is a Type II error

Ø What did the researchers do to minimize Type I and Type II errors?

Findings2 pts ØDid the authors explain how sample size was determined?Ø Discuss the sample size and generalizability
Ø Are the findings adequately summarized, with good use of tables and figures?

DiscussionInterpretation of the findings
2 pts

Ø Discuss the results of the study and causal inferenceØ Were limitations discussed?
Ø Do you agree with the researchers’ final interpretation of the major findings and/or importance of the study to health science?

Ø Does the report address the issue of the generalizability of the findings?

Implications/ recommendations2 pts

Ø Do the researchers discuss the implications of the study for clinical practice or further research—and are those implications reasonable and complete?
Global IssuesPresentation
2 pts

Ø How many times did you read the article?Ø Did you have trouble understanding the article the first time you read it? EXPLAIN
Ø Do you think the report was well organized? WHY (According to Polit and Beck).

Ø Do you think other nurses will enjoy reading this study? EXPLAIN.

Author(s) credibility2 pts Ø List one other research article written by the “first” author of this article. (Give FULL APA citation).Ø Based on a PubMed search of the “lead” author, do you think the author is qualified to do this type of research (would you trust the “lead” author with your healthcare?
Summary assessment3 pts Ø Despite any limitations, do the study findings appear to be valid—do you have confidence in the truth value of the results?Ø Does the study contribute any meaningful evidence that can be used in nursing practice or that is useful to the nursing discipline? EXPLAIN.
APA Format10 pts Paper includes reference pages and cover page. Paper consistently and flawlessly follows guidelines and APA manual for headings, spacing, in-text and reference list citations. No more than 5 spelling, punctuation, and/or grammatical errors.

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