Research Homework
A research critique demonstrates your ability to critically evaluate an investigative study. For this homework, choose an original or primary research study related to nursing or medicine. The purpose of this homework is to review a research study in-depth and to decide whether or not it is a valid research study that can be used in practice. It is your written evaluation of the study, not just a summary of the study.
Length: 4 to 6 pages.
Note: Because submission of the article is part of the homework requirements and is necessary for grading, any homework submitted without the accompanying article will be considered incomplete. An incomplete homework will be initially assigned a zero. The student has the opportunity to submit the article to complete the homework. However, if it is submitted after the due date and time, the late penalty will apply. After five days, submissions will not be accepted, as per University policy, and the grade will remain a zero.
o Articles used for one homework cannot be used for the other homeworks. (Students should find new research articles for each homework.)
o The selected articles should be original research studies. Review articles, concept analysis, meta-analysis, meta-synthesis, integrative review, and systemic review should not be used.
o Mixed-methods studies should not be used.
Your critique should include the following:
Research Problem/Purpose
1. Describe the problem as it is presented in the study.
2. State the purpose of the research.
3. Have the investigators placed the study problem within the context of existing nursing or healthcare knowledge?
4. Will the study solve a problem relevant to nursing?
Review of the Literature (may be part of the author's introduction or conclusion)
1. Identify the concepts explored in the literature review.
2. Are the references current in relation to the publication date of the study? If not, what are the possible reasons for using older sources?
Theoretical Framework
1. Do the authors identify their overall assumptions or a theoretical framework for the study? Are these assumptions appropriate for the study?
2. Does the research draw only on nursing theory, or does it draw on theory from other disciplines?
3. If a formal theory is not identified, suggest one (preferably a nursing theory) that might be suitable for the study.
Variables/Hypotheses/Questions/Assumptions
1. What is the research question or the hypothesis? Is it clearly stated or implied?
2. What are the independent and dependent variables in the hypothesis or research question?
3. Are the variables clearly defined so that the reader understands the researchers' interpretation of the variables?
4. Is the dependent variable concrete and measurable?
Methodology
1. What type of design (quantitative, qualitative) was used in this study?
2. Was inductive or deductive reasoning used in this study?
3. State the sample size and study population, sampling method, and study setting.
4. Did the investigator choose a probability or non-probability sample?
5. Describe how the independent variable was tested or surveyed in the study.
6. Describe how the dependent variable was measured.
7. Discuss the reliability and the validity (quantitative) or the credibility (qualitative) of the measurement tools.
8. How were ethical considerations addressed? What ethical considerations were necessary for this type of study?
Data Analysis
1. What data analysis method was used?
2. How were the results in the study presented to the reader?
3. Discuss at least one finding from the authors' results and relate it to the dependent variable of the study.
Summary/Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations
1. What are strengths and limitations of the study other than those stated by the authors?
2. Can the researcher generalize the findings to other populations? Explain.
3. What is the significance of the findings and conclusions for you in your personal nursing practice? For nursing as a profession?
Format your homework according to the give formatting requirements:
• The answer must be using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, typed, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• The response also includes a cover page containing the student's name, the title of the homework, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
• Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.