Homework
Length: 4 to 6 pages.
A research critique demonstrates your ability to critically read an investigative study. For this homework, choose a research article related to nursing.
o Articles used for this homework cannot be used for the other homework (students should find new research articles for each new homework).
o The selected articles should be original research articles. 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.
o Dissertations should not be used.
Your critique should include the following:
• Research Problem/Purpose
o State the problem clearly as it is presented in the report.
o Have the investigators placed the study problem within the context of existing knowledge?
o Will the study solve a problem relevant to nursing?
o State the purpose of the research.
• Review of the Literature
o Identify the concepts explored in the literature review.
o Were the references current? If not, what do you think the reasons are?
o Was there evidence of reflexivity in the design (qualitative)?
• Theoretical Framework
o Are the theoretical concepts defined and related to the research?
o Does the research draw solely on nursing theory or does it draw on theory from other disciplines?
o Is a theoretical framework stated in this research piece?
o If not, suggest one that might be suitable for the study.
• Variables/Hypotheses/Questions/Assumptions (Quantitative)
o What are the independent and dependent variables in this study?
o Are the operational definitions of the variables given? If so, are they concrete and measurable?
o Is the research question or the hypothesis stated? What is it?
• Conceptual Underpinnings, Research Questions (Qualitative)
o Are key concepts defined conceptually?
o Is the philoosoophical basis, underlying tradition, conoceptual framework, or ideological orientation made explicit and is it appropriate for the problem?
o Are research questions explicitly stated? Are the questions consistent with the study's philosophical basis, underlying tradition, conceptual framework, or ideological orientation?
• Methodology
o What type of design (quantitative, qualitative, and type) was used in this study?
o Was inductive or deductive reasoning used in this study?
o State the sample size and study population, sampling method, and study setting.
o Did the investigator choose a probability or non-probability sample?
o State the type of reliability and the validity of the measurement tools (quantitative only)
• Qualitative studies (answer the following questions in addition to those above except the last bulleted item)
o Were the methods of gathering data appropriate?
o Were data gathered through two or more methods to achieve triangulation?
o Did the researcher ask the right questions or make the right observations and were they recorded in an appropriate fashion?
o Was a sufficient amount of data gathered?
o Was the data of sufficient depth and richness?
Were ethical considerations addressed? Were appropriate procedures used to safeguard the rights of study participants?
• Data Analysis
o What data analysis tool was used?
o Was saturation achieved? (qualitative)
o How were the results presented in the study?
o Were the data management (e.g., coding) and data analysis methods sufficiently described? (qualitative)
o Identify at least one finding.
• Summary/Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations
o Do the themes adequately capture the meaning of the data?
o Did the analysis yield an insightful, provocative and meaningful picture of the phenomenon under investigation?
o Were methods used to enhance the trustworthiness of the data (and analysis) and was the description of those methods adequate?
o Are there clear explanation of the boundaries/limitations, thick description, audit trail?
o What are the strengths and limitations of the study?
o In terms of the findings, can the researcher generalize to other populations? Explain.
o Evaluate the findings and conclusions as to their significance for nursing (both qualitative and quantitative).
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.