1. research 7
A research critique demonstrates your ability to critically evaluate an investigative study.
For this assignment, choose an original or primary research study related to nursing or
medicine. The purpose of this assignment 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.The body of your paper
should follow APA Style guidelines, and it should 4–6 pages double-spaced plus a cover page
and reference list. The full article must be attached to the critique for credit.Note: Because
submission of the article is part of the assignment requirements and is necessary for
grading, any assignment submitted without the accompanying article will be considered
incomplete. An incomplete assignment will be initially assigned a zero. The student has the
opportunity to submit the article to complete the assignment. 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.Articles used for one
assignment cannot be used for the other assignments. (Students should find new research
articles for each assignment.)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.Mixed-methods studies should not be used.Your
critique should include the following:Research Problem/PurposeDescribe the problem as it
is presented in the study.State the purpose of the research.Have the investigators placed the
study problem within the context of existing nursing or healthcare knowledge?Will the
study solve a problem relevant to nursing?Review of the Literature (may be part of the
author’s introduction or conclusion)Identify the concepts explored in the literature
review.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 FrameworkDo the
authors identify their overall assumptions or a theoretical framework for the study? Are
these assumptions appropriate for the study?Does the research draw only on nursing
theory, or does it draw on theory from other disciplines?If a formal theory is not identified,
suggest one (preferably a nursing theory) that might be suitable for the study. Various
nursing theories can be found at http://www.nursing-theory.org/theories-and-
models/Variables/Hypotheses/Questions/AssumptionsWhat is the research question or
the hypothesis? Is it clearly stated or implied?What are the independent and dependent
variables in the hypothesis or research question?Are the variables clearly defined so that
the reader understands the researchers’ interpretation of the variables?Is the dependent
2. variable concrete and measurable?MethodologyWhat type of design (quantitative,
qualitative) was used in this study?Was inductive or deductive reasoning used in this
study?State the sample size and study population, sampling method, and study setting.Did
the investigator choose a probability or non-probability sample?Describe how the
independent variable was tested or surveyed in the study.Describe how the dependent
variable was measured.Discuss the reliability and the validity (quantitative) or the
credibility (qualitative) of the measurement tools.How were ethical considerations
addressed? What ethical considerations were necessary for this type of study?Data
AnalysisWhat data analysis method was used?How were the results in the study presented
to the reader?Discuss at least one (1) finding from the authors’ results and relate it to the
dependent variable of the study.Summary/Conclusions, Implications, and
RecommendationsWhat are strengths and limitations of the study other than those stated
by the authors?Can the researcher generalize the findings to other populations?
Explain.What is the significance of the findings and conclusions for you in your personal
nursing practice? For nursing as a profession?The body of your paper should be 4–6 pages
double-spaced plus a cover page and a reference page. The critique must be attached to the
article and follow APA Style guidelines.
