The overall goal of a research critique is to formulate a general evaluation of the merits of a study and to evaluate its applicability to clinical practice. A research critique goes beyond a review or summary of a study and carefully appraises a study's strengths and limitations. The critique should reflect an objective assessment of a study's validity and significance. A research study can be evaluated by its component parts, and a thorough research critique examines all aspects of a research study. Some common questions used to guide a research critique include the ones below/ DO NOT SIMPLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS - THEY ARE PROVIDED FOR GUIDANCE/INFORMATION ONLY. Your paper will be graded on the depth of analysis/amount of thought that is demonstrated, NOT on whether you answered specific questions.
A. Description of the Study
· What was the purpose of the research?
· Does the problem have significance to its field of study?
· Why is the problem significant/important?
· Identify the research questions, objectives, or hypothesis(es)
B. Literature Evaluation
· Does the literature review seem thorough?
· Does the review include recent literature?
· Does the content of the review related directly to the research problem?
· Evaluate the research cited in the literature review and the argument developed to support the need for this study.
C. Conceptual Framework
· Does the research report use of a theoretical or conceptual model for the study?
· Does the model guide the research and seem appropriate?
· How did it contribute to the design and execution of the study?
· Are the findings linked back to the model or framework?
D. Sample
· Who were the subjects?
· What were the inclusion criteria for participation in the study?
· How were subjects recruited?
· Are the size and key characteristics of the sample described?
· How representative is the sample?
E. Methods and Design
· Describe the study methods
· How were the data collected?
· Are the data collection instruments clearly described?
· Were the instruments appropriate measures of the variables under study?
· Describe and evaluate the reliability of the instruments. (Reliability refers to the consistency of the measures.) Will the same results be found with subsequent testing?
· Describe and evaluate the validity of the instruments. (Validity refers to the ability of the instrument to measure what it proposes to measure).
F. Analysis
· How were the data analyzed?
· Do the selected statistical tests appear appropriate?
· Is a rationale provided for the use of selected statistical tests?
· Were the results significant?
G. Results
· What were the findings of the research?
· Are the results presented in a clear and understandable way?
· Discuss the interpretations of the study by the authors
· Are the interpretations consistent with the results?
· Were the conclusions accurate and relevant to the problem the authors identified?
· Were the authors' recommendations appropriate?
· Are study limitations addressed?
H. Significance
· How does the study contribute to the body of knowledge?
· Discuss implications related to practice/research
· What additional questions does the study raise?