Research critique in nursing

Analyse the strength and weakness of a research study.
Helps the PG nursing students
Helps to do a good research

1. Research Critique B. Sudha , Professor, VMCON, Puducherry .

2. Research critique Is a planned, systematic and careful evaluation/ appraisal of a research work

3. purposes To provide inputs regarding the strength and weakness of a study to the researchers. To assess the methodological and analytical skills. To advance nursing knowledge. To judge the scientific merits of the study. To evaluate the understanding of research by the students. To publish comment on research topics in journals. Helps to incorporate the findings to practice

4. Guidelines for writing a critical appraisal Read and understand the entire research report carefully. Critique the entire research report- substantive, methodological , interpretative, ethical, and presentational dimensions Be objective, realistic and specific.try to justify your criticisms Give examples of study’s weaknesses and strengths. Avoid general vague statements. Be practical considering all the limitations of the research. keep a balanced approach by presenting strong and weak points. Handle the negative comments carefully. Start the comments with positive points . Alternative suggestions must be provided for further improvement in research project.

5. Dimensions/elements Substantive and theoretical dimension: theory application, research concepts. Methodologic dimension: Ethical dimension. Interpretive dimension. Presentation and stylistic dimension.

6. Guidelines for critiquing the research report Introduction Problem statement Literature review Theoretical framework and hypothesis Methodology Data analysis Results Conclusion. References.

7. Substantative dimension Significance, soundness, creativity and appropriateness of the theoretical framework. Advancing knowledge?, replicating? Research problem into theoretical context.

8. Problem statement and hypothesis Does the report clearly present the problem. Was it placed in a logical and easy to find location? Significance and what is the significance? Current knowledge? Delimitation of the scope of the problem? Does the problem clearly identify the variables, population, Hypothesis stated is logical and flow from theoretical framework. Relationship, properly worded, research hypothesis

9. Literature reviews Most, current, thorough Overdependence on secondary sources, opinion articles Direct relation to problem or peripherally related? Summary or compares the contributions of key studies? Appropriate language, objective, well organised , conclusion?

10. Theoretical and conceptual framework Description,. Appropriate, nursing or borrowed from other discipline? Concepts defined?

11. Methodological dimension Design – meaningful, unambiguous, and valid results. Subjects , sample size, sampling approach Data collection what analysis How was the plan executed

12. Research design Type of design, experimental intervention, comparison, how many times data collected or observed, procedures to control external factors. Does the design affect the internal validity, or enhance the external validity of the study? Major limitations of the design used.

13. Sampling plans Population, eligibility criteria, sample selection procedure, bias, representative sample, size and characteristics of the sample. Power analysis. Generalisation to whom?

14. Interpretative dimension I nterpretation Are the interpretations consistent with the results. Similar research studies Alternate explanation for the findings discussed Implications Nursing practice Based on the limitations Recommendations Methods to improve the study. Are the recommendations consistent with the findings.

15. Ethical dimension Physical harm, psychological distress Steps to reduce the discomfort or prevent harm. Did the benefits outweigh the potential risks Data collected by persons with proper qualification? Explanation, Vulnerable groups, coercion, awareness of being used in the study, informed consent, privacy, IRB approved

16. Presentation and stylistic dimension Detail enough to critique Well written?, jargon avoided, grammar and spelling Well organised , continuity of thought and expression? Irrelavant details? Objective style Title- variables and population Abstract – problem, methods and findings Reference

17. THANK YOU