Final Research Critique

8/8/2019 Final Research Critique

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/final-research-critique 1/43



IF WE KNOW WHAT IT WAS THAT WE WEREDOING, IT WOULD NOT BE CALLEDRESEARCH,WOULD IT ?

Albert Einstein

Research is what everybody has seen and to think

what nobody else has thought Albert Einstein



Research CritiqueMrs.Jasmin Anand

Professor, med-surg Nrsg.



Defining Critique

An objective, critical and balancedappraisal of a research reportsvarious dimensions



Every study appears to have its

flaws because each researcheraddresses the same or similarproblem with different decisions

on how the study is to be done



Why a Critique ?



Purpose of Research critiqueAdvance a particular area ofknowledgeAssess student·s methodologic &analylitical skillsSeasoned researcher to help journaleditionsFor use in journal clubsWritten critique is a guide toresearchers



General guidelines

Comment on strengthsand weaknessGive specific examplesAvoid vaguegeneralizations of praiseand fault finding



General guidelines ( contd )

Evaluate-substantive, ethical

Methodologic , interpretativepresentational & stylisticdimensions

. Suggest alternatives



Initial critique

What type of study was conducted

What was the setting

Were the steps clearly identified

Was there a logical flow



Introduction and Significance of

the ProblemRelevance to nursingBenefits to nursing

Lead to practical applicationsHave theoretical relevanceChallenge untested assumptions

Will it help to alter nursing practice orpoliciesIs it too big /complex for a single study



Significance of the Problem



Introduction and Significance of

the ProblemChallenge untested assumptions

Will it help to alter nursing practiceor policiesIs it too big /complex for a single

studyAre the limits and scope of thestudy mentioned



Problem Statement and

ResearchabilityClearly & concisely stated

Precise information aboutthe variables

Feasibility



Literature Review

Relevant studies identified &describedAre references currentDoes the development of the ideacome clearIs review organized or just asummaryIs there a brief synopsis



Study framework

Does it fit naturallyDoes it relate well with thevariablesWould an alternate framework beappropriateHave the deduction been logical



O bjectives & Hypothesis

Are they formally statedDoes the hypothesis express apredicted relationship between thevariablesIs the hypothesis linked to atheoretical framework

Are the hypotheses testable



T heory is Wrong



Theoretical DimensionOwn disciplinary orientation should notinterfere in objective evaluation

Avoid unnecessary repetition of study/replication sometimes is exactly needed

Congruence between the study & themethods a. Quantitative b. Qualitative



Design Issues/Theoretical

DimensionWas the type of design identified

Did it link to the objectives,questions or hypotheses

(If) was the treatment clearlydescribed and implemented



D esign Issues (contd)

Were extraneous variablesidentified & controlledWas a pilot study performed priorto this studyWhat were the threats to designvalidity in this study



Sampling Issues

Was sample criteria identifiedWere the characteristics of thesample describedWas Sampling method identifiedWas the sample size adequateIs there a bias



Data Collection ProcedureWas the data collection processclearly described

Was data collection conducted in aconsistent wayWere the research controlsmaintainedIf data collectors were used, werethey adequately trained



Measurement Methodology

Measurement methodologies clearlyidentified & described

What level of measurement wasachieved by each instrumentWas the reliability adequateWas the validity adequate



Measurement methodology( contd )

If physiological instruments wereused, were they accurate & precise

If observers were used, is evidenceof inter-observer reliability given



C ritique of quantitative methodology

Reality cannot be defined objectively, it isinterpreted social interactionQuantification can result in meanings that

are closer to the beliefs of the researcherthan the respondentsHypotheses determines the course of thestudyMethods become overridingly importantThe quantitative model is the naturalsciences, this model may not be relevant for

the social sciences



Ethical dimensions



H ow Ethical is your Study ?



Ethical Dimensions

Were the subjects informed aboutthe research/Human rights

Was the consent obtained from thesubjectsWas the study approved by an

institutional board



Ethical Dimensions

Two main types of ethicaltransgressions- inadvertent actions or

activities- express it as minor



Statistical analysis



Statistical Analysis

What statistics were used todescribe the characteristics of the

sampleAre the data analysis proceduresdescribed

Did the statistics address thepurpose of the study



Statistical Analysis ( contd )

Did the statistics address theobjectives, questions & hypothesis

Were the statistics appropriate ofthe level of measurement of eachvariable





Interpretative dimensions



Interpretative Dimensions

Are important results clearlydiscussed and are interpretations

consistent with the resultsAre findings clinically significantTo what population were findingsgeneralized



Interpretative Dimensions ( contd )

Were study limitations identifiedAre alternative explanations forthe findings mentionedAre any warranted interpretationsof casualty made



Interpretative D imensions(contd)

Is there evidence of bias in theinterpretation

Were the implications of thefindings discussedWere suggestions made for furtherresearch



Interpretative D imensions( contd )

Is there evidence of bias in theinterpretation

Were the implications of thefindings for nursing discussedWere suggestions made for furtherresearch



Presentation & Stylistic D imension

Information communication

Writing style



Summary pointsResearch critique is a careful, criticalappraisal of strengths and limitationsConsider five major dimensions of the study:

substantive, theoretical, methodological,ethical, interpretive, and stylisticdimensions



Summary (contd)

Focus primarily on the methodologicdimensions

Methodologic decisions affect thequality and integrity of the research.Determine how much faith can be

placed on the results



Tha nk you

Final Research Critique

Documents