Nursing Research 7
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chapter_13.pptxCritique Process
Chapter Thirteen
Definition of Critique
Critique is defined as “a critical review or commentary, especially one dealing with works of art or literature; a critical discussion of a specific topic; the art of criticism” (Yahoo!Education, 2005, http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/critique)
Webster (1999) defines it as “a critical review or commentary, especially one dealing with a literary or artistic work” (p. 268)
Rationale for Doing a Research Critique
Immediate reaction to seek answers to critical questions in nursing practice
Mechanism to provide feedback for improvement
Allows for the advancement of the professional
Elements of a Research Critique
Purpose of a study
Design of the research
Literature review
Research question
Sample
Data collection process
Results
Recommendations
Process for Doing a Critique
Read the entire study carefully
Examine the organization and presentation
Make a photocopy of the article to allow highlighting
Identify terms you don’t understand and look them up
Identify the strengths and limitations but be objective
Purpose of the Study
Is it Clear?
Is it relevant to your practice?
Is there a need for this study?
Will the study improve nursing practice?
Will the study add to the body of nursing knowledge?
Research Design
Is there a theory/framework that guides the study?
If no, can you identify how information was collected?
Who will be studied?
What is the plan for the study?
Are the plan decisions justified?
Literature Review
Is it comprehensive?
Is it current? Last 5 years?
Are the majority of the sources primary or secondary?
Is the literature review section well organized? (an introduction/summary)
Does the literature review include a section for a model/theory?
Research Question
Clearly stated?
Does it match the purpose of the study?
Are the research questions justified?
Does the theory/framework/model establish a connection with the question?
Hypothesis?
May be used instead of a research question
Shows a relationship
Make sure:
All variables described
Clearly stated
Reflects the purpose of the study
Has a relationship with the theory/framework/model
Sample
Who is the target population?
How were they chosen?
Who is included? Excluded?
How large is the sample? (N=)
Were sampling plan decisions justified adequately?
Were ethical considerations clearly addressed with the sampling process?
Data Collection
What steps were taken?
How often was data collected?
Which tools/instruments used?
Who designed the tools/instruments?
Are the tools valid? Reliable?
Were tools described to research population?
Study Results
Was the research question/hypothesis proved?
What were the limitations?
Can any generalizations be made?
Did the research results support the literature?
Any unexpected findings?
Did the outcomes explain the basis of the study?
Study Recommendations
Are there suggestions for use in future practice?
Is there the need for more research?
Could you change your practice based on these results?
What are the benefits from the information learned in the research?
Process of conducting a research critique
Will show both strengths and weakness of the study.
This skill is developed through repeated practice.
Decisively Evaluating Quantitative Evidence
Slightly easier to do since quantitative research design tends to be more concrete.
Usual section – introduction, literature review, hypothesis (es), sampling, research design, statistical testing, and discussion
Conceptual framework principle aspect for this type
Decisively Evaluating Qualitative Evidence
Slightly different focus
Must discuss researcher-participant relationship
Ethical consideration
Data collection and management
Data analysis which allows for audit of process
Decisively Evaluating Mixed Evidence
Embraces both quantitative and qualitative aspects
Rationale for utilization of this method must be provided
Quantitative data discussion usually provided followed by qualitative data but can be in any order
Discussion section must bring both data results together for an integration of the recommendations.
Summary Points
Essential to Evidence Based practice
Several different types of critiques
Series of questions guide critiques
Critique skills developed by repetition
Eight general areas of a research study
Don’t need to be a statistician to do a critique
Quantitative critiques differ from qualitative critiques
What do I do now?
Read the entire study
Look at the layout and organization
Identify any terms you do not know
Highlight each step of the nursing process
Look for strengths and weaknesses
Suggest modifications for future studies
Fill out the worksheets associated with the critique!
