Bio 22

Guide to an Overall Critique of a Quantitative Research Article Polit & Beck (2017) p 102-105

Student Name

Date

Article Citation (APA format )

NUR 610 INSTRUCTIONS: The format of the critique follows the sections of the article. Pay attention to section headers on this document as that is where you will find information in the article. After answering YES/NO to the critique question (make answer bold or in italics), follow with a brief explanation or description of how the research demonstrated that the answer to the question. ​If the question ​does not apply to the study​, state that in the box.

Aspect of the Research Article

Title

1. Is the title logical, succinctly suggesting key variables and the study population? Explain: Yes or No

Abstract

2. Does the abstract clearly and concisely summarize the main features of the research article (problem, methods, results, conclusions)? Explain:

Yes or No

Introduction

Statement of Problem

3. Was the problem stated clearly and was it easy to identify? Explain: Yes or No

4. Is the problem significant for nursing? Explain: Yes or No

Was there a good match between the research problem and the use of a quantitative method to find the answer (versus qualitative)? Explain:

Yes or No

Hypothesis or research questions

5. Was the research question (or questions) and/or hypotheses clearly stated? Explain: Yes or No

Literature Review

6. Did the article adequately summarize the existing body of knowledge related to the problem or phenomenon of interest? Explain:

Yes or No

7. Was the literature review up-to-date (ideally less than 5 years unless classic)? Describe: Yes or No

1

Guide to an Overall Critique of a Quantitative Research Article Polit & Beck (2017) p 102-105

8. Did the literature review provide support that the research performed in the article needed to be done (identify gap in literature/knowledge)? Explain:

Yes or No

Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

9. Were the key concepts adequately defined? Explain: Yes or No

10. Was the framework articulated clearly? Explain: Yes or No

Methods

Protection of Human Rights

11. Were appropriate procedures used to safeguard rights of the study participants? Explain: Yes or No

12. Was the study reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (or ethics committee)? Explain: Yes or No

Research Design

13. Was the most rigorous design used for the research (Experimental (RCT), Quasi-experimental, Non-experimental)? Explain:

Yes or No

14. Were the data collection points appropriate (when the data was measured based on the study design)? Explain:

Yes or No

15. Did the design minimize biases and threats to the internal and external validity of the study? Explain:

Yes or No

Population and Sample

16. Was the population identified/ the sample described sufficiently? Explain: Yes or No

17. Was the best sampling design used to enhance representation of population? Explain: Yes or No

18. Was the sample size adequate? Explain: Yes or No

Data collection and measurement

19. Were the key variables measured using an appropriate method? Explain: Yes or No

20. Were the tools or instruments used adequately described and appropriately administered? Was the validity of the tools described? Explain:

Yes or No

21. Did the report provide evidence that the data collection methods yielded data that were reliable and valid? Explain:

Yes or No

Procedures

2

Guide to an Overall Critique of a Quantitative Research Article Polit & Beck (2017) p 102-105

22. If there was an intervention, was it adequately described and implemented? Explain: Yes or No

23. Were data collected in a manner that minimized bias? If more than one person collected data, was their training described? Explain:

Yes or No

Results

Data Analysis

24. Were appropriate statistical methods used, given the level of measurement of the variables, number of groups being compared, and assumptions of the tests? Explain:

Yes or No

25. Were type I and type II errors avoided or minimized? Explain: Yes or No

26. Were values missing? How were they evaluated and addressed? Explain: Yes or No

Findings

27. Was information about statistical significance presented? Information about effect size and precision of estimates? Explain:

Yes or No

28. Were the findings adequately summarized, with good use of tables and figures? Explain: Yes or No

Discussion

Interpretation of the findings

29. Were all major findings interpreted and discussed? Explain: Yes or No

30. Were causal inferences or correlation discussed? Explain: Yes or No

31. Was the issue of clinical significance discussed? Explain: Yes or No

32. Did the report address the issue of the generalizability of the findings? Explain: Yes or No

Implications/Recommendations

33. Did the researchers discuss the implications of the study for clinical practice or further research - and were those implications reasonable and complete? Explain:

Yes or No

General Issues

Presentation

34. Was the report well-written, organized, and sufficiently detailed for critical analysis? Explain:

Yes or No

3

Guide to an Overall Critique of a Quantitative Research Article Polit & Beck (2017) p 102-105

35. In intervention studies, was a CONSORT flowchart provided to show the flow of participants in the study? If does not apply, note that here:

Yes or No

36. Was the report written in a manner that makes the findings accessible to practicing nurses? Explain:

Yes or No

Researcher Credibility

37. Do the researchers’ clinical, substantive, or methodologic qualifications and experience enhance confidence in the findings and their interpretation?

Yes or No

Summary Assessment

38. Does the study contribute any meaningful evidence that can be used in nursing practice or that is useful to the nursing discipline?

Yes or No

When completed, add up the ‘yes’ answers. While still subjective, the greater number of ‘yes’ answers, the stronger the study is likely to be.

# Yes answers out of 38 possible

What is your overall assessment of this research article?

4