Assignment Details
CRITIQUE OF A RESEARCH ARTICLE
I. Title: 5 points
A. Does the title clearly and concisely represent the content of the study?
II. Abstract: 5 points
A. Does the abstract justly represent the summary of the purpose, method, results, and conclusions of the study?
III. Introduction: 15 points
A. Does the author clearly state the problem being investigated?
B. Is the problem introduced promptly?
C. Has the problem been substantiated with adequate background and need for the study?
D. Does the author clearly state the importance of the study?
E. Is the problem adequately substantiated with background literature and a clear, logical argument for the need for the study?
F. Does the author explain the theoretical rationale underlying the study?
G. Are the terms of the problem defined both conceptually and operationally?
H. Do the research questions or the hypotheses directly answer the research problem?
I. Are the hypotheses based on previous theoretical writing or research?
J. Is it clear how the study will extend previous research findings?
IV. Methods: 15 points
A. What type of research design is being used? Is it appropriate to answer the author’s research question(s)?
B. What are the dependent and independent variables? Is measurement of the dependent variable reliable? Is the dependent variable a valid measure of the matter under investigation? Were any measurements other than those identified as the dependent measures taken?
C. Who are the subjects? How were the subjects selected? How many were there, and was there a sufficient number? Were the groups divided? Are there biases or assumptions that limit interpretation of the findings? Was the sample size adequate to answer the questions/address the hypotheses? What were the sample criteria?
D. What was the sequence of events? Is the study described in sufficient detail so that it could be duplicated?
E. Are there intervening (confounding) variables? How do they affect the control?
F. What are the methods of collecting the data? Are these methods appropriate? Do they actually obtain data the investigator seeks?
G. Is the investigator specific regarding validity and reliability of the measures?
H. What sort of human subjects’ protection or consent was used?
V. Results: 15 points
A. What statistical tests were employed? Are they appropriate for the research design? Is each hypothesis tested? Does the author analyze data not previously discussed in the method section?
B. Are the analyses related to each research question or hypothesis reported clearly?
C. Did the study adhere to the underlying assumptions of the statistical test?
D. What is the probability of a Type I error? Type II error?
E. Are the tables, graphs, and/or figures clearly presented? Did the author rely on the figures to report the data? Did the author supply sufficient data to allow the reader to make his/her interpretations?
F. In the light of the research question(s), what does the data suggest?
VI. Discussion and Conclusion: 15 points
A. Were the hypotheses adequately tested?
B. Does the author relate the findings to previous literature and a theoretical framework?
C. Does the author explain the relevance of the findings?
D. Are the findings clearly stated without sweeping generalizations? Is the extent to which the results can be generalized to other populations or situations explained?
E. Are the authors’ conclusions based on the method and the results of this study? To what extent do you agree with the authors’ conclusions?
F. Are the weaknesses and drawbacks of the study clearly stated?
VII. Overview: 20 points
A. What is your overall opinion of the article?
B. How could you improve the design of this research study?
C. How relevant are the findings and conclusions of the article to clinical practice? Does the article contribute to the body of the scientific knowledge or to the development of the profession? Do the findings have a meaningful application?
D. What knowledge have you gained through reading the article?
E. What additional questions are raised as a result of this study?
VIII. Grammar and APA: 10 points
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