The overall goal of a research critique is to formulate a general evaluation of the merits of a study and to evaluate its applicability to clinical practice. A research critique goes beyond a review or summary of a study and carefully appraises a study's strengths and limitations. The critique should reflect an objective assessment of a study's validity and significance. A research study can be evaluated by its component parts, and a thorough research critique examines all aspects of a research study. Some common questions used to guide a research critique include the ones below/ DO NOT SIMPLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS - THEY ARE PROVIDED FOR GUIDANCE/INFORMATION ONLY. Your paper will be graded on the depth of analysis/amount of thought that is demonstrated, NOT on whether you answered specific questions.

A. Description of the Study

· What was the purpose of the research?

· Does the problem have significance to its field of study?

· Why is the problem significant/important?

· Identify the research questions, objectives, or hypothesis(es)

B. Literature Evaluation

· Does the literature review seem thorough?

· Does the review include recent literature?

· Does the content of the review related directly to the research problem?

· Evaluate the research cited in the literature review and the argument developed to support the need for this study.

C. Conceptual Framework

· Does the research report use of a theoretical or conceptual model for the study?

· Does the model guide the research and seem appropriate?

· How did it contribute to the design and execution of the study?

· Are the findings linked back to the model or framework?

D. Sample

· Who were the subjects?

· What were the inclusion criteria for participation in the study?

· How were subjects recruited?

· Are the size and key characteristics of the sample described?

· How representative is the sample?

E. Methods and Design

· Describe the study methods

· How were the data collected?

· Are the data collection instruments clearly described?

· Were the instruments appropriate measures of the variables under study?

· Describe and evaluate the reliability of the instruments. (Reliability refers to the consistency of the measures.) Will the same results be found with subsequent testing?

· Describe and evaluate the validity of the instruments. (Validity refers to the ability of the instrument to measure what it proposes to measure).

F. Analysis

· How were the data analyzed?

· Do the selected statistical tests appear appropriate?

· Is a rationale provided for the use of selected statistical tests?

· Were the results significant?

G. Results

· What were the findings of the research?

· Are the results presented in a clear and understandable way?

· Discuss the interpretations of the study by the authors

· Are the interpretations consistent with the results?

· Were the conclusions accurate and relevant to the problem the authors identified?

· Were the authors' recommendations appropriate?

· Are study limitations addressed?

H. Significance

· How does the study contribute to the body of knowledge?

· Discuss implications related to practice/research

· What additional questions does the study raise?