Research critique/Critical Apprasial

Nursing Research Article Critiques/Critical Appraisal & Grading Rubric

The ability to critically appraise or critique research or evidence is an essential nursing skill. This ability will assist in you in incorporating the best evidence to maintain a current, safe, and effective nursing practice. This assignment will also provide you with the basic knowledge of the necessary components of a research study.

Following a practice critique of a research article in class, students will choose from one of two research articles provided by the professor, or an approved articleof the students choosing* to critique or critically appraise individually in writing. This assignment will be completed in APA format using a title page, running head, subheadings, citations, and a reference list (No abstract). Due date is March 17th. Be sure to submit a copy of the journal article along with the Critique.

You may use the following questions from Dr. Armstrongs guidelines below or use either Melnyks, Johns Hopkins, or Astroth & Chungs guides included in this assignment folder. Your choice! If you choose to complete Melnyks or Johns Hopkins critical appraisal guidelines, you will need to type out each segment of the appraisal and respond to the questions in narrative format. Be sure to state, cite, and reference the source you use to critique or appraise the study. Be sure to cite and reference the study you are appraising or critiquing.

*Students will submit article requests for approval via email. Appraisals done using articles not previously approved by the professor via email will not be graded.

The following critique guidelines were adapted from Dr. J. Armstrong, Kings College:

A. Page 1 Title Page with

Critique/Appraisal of: Title of the Article

Your name and date

B. 1. Introduction to the critique/appraisal stating and citing the source used to assess the quality of the evidence (the article) (2-3 paragraphs)

Explain the problem the study is investigating.

Is the problem clearly stated?

Is the problem practically important?

What is the purpose of the study?

What is the hypothesis or research question?

Are the key terms defined?

2. Review of Literature (1-2 paragraphs) Are the cited sources current and pertinent to the study?

Is the review too broad or too narrow?

Is there any evidence of bias?

3. Is a theory or conceptual framework used? What is it? 4. Design and procedures (3 4 paragraphs)

What research methodology was used?

Was this an original study?

Was a pilot study conducted?

Are there variables? What are the variables?

How was sampling performed?

Was an IRB approval statement included stating

participant consent was obtained or not necessary?

What was the data collection procedure?

Was an instrument used to collect the data and if so, was it adequately described, including validity & reliability?

What was done to establish validity & reliability of the study?

5. Data Analysis and presentation (1-2 paragraphs)

Were data qualitative or quantitative?

How were data analyzed?

What measurement statistical tests were used or

which method of qualitative analysis was used?

What was done to maintain the integrity, and trustworthiness of the data?

6. Results

Did findings support the hypothesis and purpose?

How were data presented? Were tables, graphs, and charts used? Were the graphics described and titled clearly?

7. Discussion, Conclusions and Implications (2-3 paragraphs)

Are the conclusions of the study related to the

original purpose?

Were limitations discussed?

If a theory or conceptual framework was used,

did the author explain that the results supported it or did not support it?

Were the implications discussed?

Whom will the results and conclusions effect?

What recommendations were made at the conclusion?

C. Students Overall Assessment/Conclusions regarding the publication (1 paragraph)

What is the level of evidence? What is your overall assessment of the study and what is your overall assessment of the article? Remember, you can have a good study, but a poorly written article and you can also have a well written article, but a poor study. What Will you use it in your review of the literature?

Rubric for Grading the Research Article Critique/Appraisal

Letter C above will be included in all critiques/appraisals!

Component

Skilled -3

Competent-2

Novice-1

Not Found-0

Total

Inclusion of Items A through C or all items in the critique/appraisal guide used

All items

included and

thoroughly discussed

Majority of

items included and

covered

fairly well

Attempt

to critique

article but

lacks

thoroughness in most areas

Students overall assessment of

the research and article – reaches a logical conclusion

In depth

assessment/own

opinion of the

study & article

included. Conclusion is logical. Includes level of evidence.

Summarizes

the pros and cons or includes personal opinion but not both and conclusion is somewhat logical. May neglect to include the level of evidence.

Attempts to

include personal

opinion of the study & article. May or may not achieve a logical conclusion

Quality of writing

Writing is clear, concise, organized, flows easily and logically.

Thoughts are organized with some clarity but lacks conciseness.

Difficult to follow thoughts.

Writing lacks clarity.

Spelling, grammar, & mechanics

Correct usage 95% – 99% of paper

Correct usage 85% – 94% of the paper

Correct usage < 84% of the paper

Use of APA Title page, abstract, running head, subheadings, citations, & reference page

Includes all required components correctly (95-100%) with minimal to no errors. Cites and references the guide used and the article appraised/critiqued.

Correctly uses APA throughout most of the paper (85-94%). Cites and references the article but not guide used or vice versa.

Attempts APA but with frequent errors

(84% or less). Neglects to cite and reference the guide used and the article.

Total

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