Chapter 14 Critiquing Research Reports

Question 1

Research critique

Answer 1

1. Critical evaluation of a piece of reported research. Usually 2 or 3 pages long; typically not published.
2. Involves evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the research process to determine the overall applicability of findings.

Question 2

Research review

Answer 2

1. Identification and summary of major findings and characteristics of a study.
2. Involves giving a synopsis of the study, pointing out major characteristics of the study, highlighting key points and major features, and discussing implications for practice.

Question 3

Constructive vs. destructive critique

Answer 3

Professionalism, etiquette, and empathy for the researcher should be used; strengths/areas of excellence should be discussed first; weaknesses/criticisms should be supported by explanations; focus should be on advising the researcher and improving the work and nursing science at large.

Question 4

Deciding the overall usefulness of a research report requires _

Answer 4

Systematic review and critical appraisal.

Question 5

Research Appraisal Checklist

Answer 5

A tool for evaluating research reports consisting of a set of 50 statements grouped into eight categories (title; abstract; problem; review of literature; methodology; data analysis; discussion; form and style). Each statement is scored from 1 to 4, and the eight categories are weighted (by the evaluator) to reflect the relative importance of each category.

Question 6

Main sections of a research critique

Answer 6

1. Problem statement.
2. Research methodology.
3. Results, conclusions, and interpretations.
4. Recommendations/implications for further study in practice, education, research.

Question 7

Limitations in qualitative research reports

Answer 7

Qualitative research studies should not include sample size as a limitation (qualitative research studies will always have a small sample size); lack of information for how saturation was achieved is a limitation.

Question 8

In critiquing a research report, where does the researcher state the particular question(s) to be investigated?

Answer 8

Purpose statement.

Question 9

In critiquing a research report, where would the researcher find information on possible sources of sampling error and sample size?

Answer 9

Methods.