Critical Evaluation of a Research Paper
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your ability to evaluate one quantitative or qualitative nursing research article of interest from any refereed nursing journal. Writing a critical review of a journal article can help to improve your writing and analytical skills. By assessing the work of others, you develop skills as a critical reader and become familiar with the types of evaluation criteria necessary to translate the evidence to practice.
Instructions:
Choose one primary research (1) article used in the literature review—less than five years or if you prefer in the EBP project. It is preferable to use a randomized controlled trial or the highest level of evidence.
Attach a copy of the article.
Write a 1-2 page critique on the article (excluding cover and reference page).
Format references and citations using 7th ed. APA guidelines.
Read the Johns Hopkins nursing evidence-based practice: model and guidelines and use Appendix E critically appraise from the article.
Begin your critique by identifying the:
article’s title
author(s)
date of publication
name of the journal or other publication in which it appeared
and when was the article published
In your introduction, you should briefly describe the purpose and nature of the study and, if applicable, its theoretical framework. If the paper was not published in a peer-reviewed journal, consider the credibility of the publication in which it appeared.
If you are reviewing a research study, organize the body of your critique according to the paper’s structure.
Did the researcher identify the gaps in the knowledge?
Did the researcher identify the purpose of the study?
Write a brief description and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the research design and methodology. For example:
How does the method reflect other studies of the same topic? (sample, data collection, setting).
What makes this method feasible? (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods).
How realistic is it? How does the method address questions of validity? (independent, dependent variables).
How does the researcher overcome the limitations of the method?
Are there large limitations or minor ones?
How will these limitations affect your ability to use this data to answer your research question?
Describe the results by answering:
How were the results interpreted?
How were they related to the original problem (author’s view of evidence rather than objective findings)?
Look at DISCUSSION are the author(s) able to answer the question (test the hypothesis) raised?
Did the research provide new factual information, a new understanding of a phenomenon in the field, a new research technique?
How was the significance of the work described?
Did the reported observations/interpretations support or refute observations or interpretations made by other researchers?
Did the researcher report limitations.
Describe the significance of the research by answering:
Did the research make a significant contribution to human knowledge?
Did the research produce any practical applications?
What are the nursing implications of this research?
How do you evaluate the significance of the research?
Papers will be graded by rubric. Please take time to review the rubric so that you are aware of the expectations for the research critique paper.
Rubric 🌟
1. Quality and Copy of the article
The journal’s primary research article is current, peer-reviewed, contains the author’s name(s), year of publication, and corresponds
to the list of references.
2. Study Summary
The summary clearly outlines the main research question, methods, results, and implications in the student’s own words.
3. Identify the Gap of Knowledge
Identifies the rationale for the study’s aim/ purpose by clearly identifying a gap in the literature.
4. Study Methods
The study design is described in detail. If quantitative data were collected, psychometric properties of instruments are provided (e.g.
validity and reliability) are provided. The sampling strategy(inclusion/ exclusion criteria), study setting, and data collection procedures are described in detail. The approach used for
data analyses is described.
5. results/findings
Outstanding
Results/products/outcomes are described in detail and align With description ofstudy methods. Analyses of data are sophisticated and precise.
6. Discussion
Applies relevant thinking skills and shows that understand the meaning of the results of the study Identifies and clearly discusses multiple implications and consequences of the findings and compares the findings to other
evidence.
7. Conclusion & recommendation
Stated recommendations are based on a thorough examination of evidence, a clear explanation of reasonable alternatives, and an evaluation of possible consequences.
Conclusions and recommendations are congruent with the strength of evidence reviewed, and an appropriate interpretation of both clinical and statistical significance of the findings.
8. Limitations and implications
Limitations of the study are clearly stated and are linked to
implicationsfor future studies.
9. Overall analysis of the study
The student provides an insightful analysis of the article, answering all or nearly all of the questions assigned. The student articulates
novel ideas that clearly go beyond what is in the article itself. The analysis is clear and rational.
