Step 1: A brief overview (200 words) that summarizes the objective, methods, type of data collected (and frequency) and how authors used the data to come to their conclusions.
Step 2: Critical Review
Here’s where you get to opine on the strengths and weaknesses of the study (two paragraphs; total word limit: 500 word). A critical review does not imply negative criticism of a publication. Rather, your critique should be a balanced evaluation and discussion and of the strengths, weakness and significant characteristic features of the manuscript. As an illustration, identifying an insufficient sample size will not qualify as critical assessment, rather describing why the sample size is inadequate would qualify as critical assessment.
Use the following questions to help you critique the article (please don’t answer these in a Q&A format. Rather, use your inferences to build a concrete critique. Please note, these are just few examples).
Introduction/Background: Is there an evidence of a research question? Can the research question be investigated through data collection and interpretation? Is the cited literature relevant to the study at hand? Why is this research important?
Methods: If you were to duplicate this research, can you do so with the information provided in the manuscript? Are confounding variables adequately described? Was adequate statistical methods used?
Results: Are the tables and figures self-explanatory and easy to navigate. the results clearly presented? Is the result description clear?
Discussions: Is there over-generalization of the results? Do the authors discuss strength and weaknesses of the study? Do you have any suggestions to improve the study?
Step 3: Clinical Applications
Write one paragraph (200 words) about the implications for future research and/or clinical practice (if any) of the study findings.
Your total submission (steps 1-4) should not exceed 1000 words. In addition, please submit a PDF of the selected paper.
Grading will include style as well as content.
Whenever possible, use active voice: subject, verb (one), object in that order.
Avoid starting sentences with ‘it’ ‘there are/is.’
Use 12-point font, double-spaced, with one (1) inch margin.
Research article is attached.
