Research Appraisal ( Design and Sampling)

INSTRUCTION

Purpose:  Summarize and appraise an article for bias and validity in a collaborative environment.

Instructions: Carefully read, summarize, and appraise your group's assigned article. 

1. Identify and discuss the following:

· what is known/not known about the topic and the gap in knowledge the study is intended to fill.

· the research design, purpose of the study, and setting.

· information about the sample: 

· method;

· size;

· inclusion/exclusion criteria,

· attrition/loss to follow up/response rate, if any;

· important characteristics of the sample.

2. Appraise and debate the sampling methods. Consider the following questions:

· Was the sampling method and inclusion/exclusion criteria adequate to reduce sampling bias?

· Do the sample characteristics representative of the target population?

· Was the sample size adequate?

· Was there a decrease in sample size?  If so, did the researchers identify decreases early and attempt to reduce the impact?  Was a decrease, if any, adequately explained by the researchers?

· How would you rate the quality of the sampling procedures and your confidence in drawing inferences to the target population?