Research Article Critique help

Introduction

§ What was the purpose of the study?

§ List any objectives, questions or hypotheses.

§ What are the independent and dependent variables contained within the study?

§ Does the hypothesis or research question flow logically from the framework of the article?

Lit Review and Ethics

§ Does the content of the literature review relate directly to the research problem?

§ Was the study approved by the appropriate IRB or similar ethics review committee?

§ Did the study identify the risks/benefits of the study?

§ If the study did not provide the risks/benefits, what might they be?

§ Were appropriate informed consent procedures used with all participants?

Research Design

§ Is the research design appropriate for the problem being studied?

§ How were confounding variables controlled?

§ Are the sampling inclusion and exclusion criteria described?

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§ What is the sample size?

§ Was a power analysis done to indicate the number needed to be in the study to demonstrate statistical significance?

Data Collection

§ What categories of data collection methods were used? (self-report, scales, observational, biophysiological)

§ Identify the specific instrument(s) used to measure the dependent variable(s)?

§ What is the reliability of the data collection methods used? Discuss each measure of the dependent variable(s).

Data Analysis

§ How were the data analyzed? (What statistical tests were used)

§ What type of data was analyzed? (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio, etc.)

§ Are the analyses interpreted correctly?

§ What were the findings?

§ Were the findings significant?

Interpretation, Discussion (Evaluation)

§ What are the study limitations?

§ How do the results fit with previous research in the area?

§ What is the overall quality of the study when the strengths and weaknesses are summarized?

§ What does the research mean for clinical practice?