What is the Framework for How to Read and Critique a Research Study

1.Critiquing the research articlea.

Title –Does it accurately describe the article?

b.Abstract –Is it representative of the article?

c.Introduction –Does it make the purpose of the article clear?

d.Statement of the problem –Is the problem properly introduced?

e.Purpose of the study –Has the reason for conducting the research been explained?

f.Research question(s) –Is/are the research question(s) clearly defined and if not, should they be?

g.Theoretical framework –Is the theoretical framework described? If there is not a theoretical framework, should there be?

h.Literature review –Is the literature review relevant to the study, comprehensive, and include recent research?

Does the literature review support the need for the study?

i.Methods – Is the design appropriate for the study?

Does the sample fit with the research design and is the size sufficient? Was a data collection instrument needed? How were data collected?Werereliability and validity accounted for?

j.Analysis –Is the analytical approach consistent with the study questions and research design?

k.Results –Are the results presented clearly in the text,tables and figures? Are the statistics clearly explained?

l.Discussion -Are the results explained in relationship to the theoretical framework, research questions, and the significance to nursing?m. Limitations – Are the limitations presented and their implications discussed?

n.Conclusion –Are there recommendations for nursing practice, future research, and policymakers?

2. Determine the level and quality of the evidence using a scale (several can be found in ANA’s Research Toolkit www.nursingworld.org/Research-Toolkit/Appraising-the-Evidence)

3.Decide if the study is applicableto your practicea.Can you use the results and recommendations in your practice?