In this assignment, you will apply the epidemiological concepts you have learned this semester to the review & analyze a peer-reviewed epidemiology research article. The review should not be more than 6 pages, excluding the title page. You will demonstrate your ability to specifically analyze and critique a peer reviewed epidemiology research journal article by linking the procedures discussed in the article to the concepts taught in class. This shouldn’t be based on opinion, but rather linking specific elements in the article to the research and statistical concepts reviewed each week during the semester.
Elements required and assessed in the analysis:
Choose an appropriate article for review. The article chosen for review should be an empirical peer-reviewed journal article of a health-related topic that is no more than 5 years old. Do not use secondary sources, magazines, or abstracts. Only a peer-reviewed journal article is acceptable.
Are the title and abstract clear and do they clearly represent the topic?
Provide a concise and accurate summary of the article being reviewed & analyzed.
What is the purpose of the research and is it clearly stated?
Identify the type of research design conducted in the article and the characteristics that support your identified research type. Identify whether the article is quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods. Identify the specific type of design. For example, if you have a qualitative study is it ethnographic, based on grounded theory, etc. (qualitative, survey, cohort, randomized controlled trial (RCT), cross-sectional, correlational research, experimental, quasi-experimental, single subject, case study, case-control study, other). Be specific.
Identify whether key elements are included. Identify whether key elements of the article are present in the article: appropriate title, key terms, abstract, introduction, purpose, rationale, research question/hypothesis, literature review, clear description of participants/subjects, methods, results, discussion & references.
Identify the main hypothesis and research question that is driving the research. The research question may not be specifically stated; you can use your analytic skills and infer what the research question is. Summarize how they are being tested.
Operationally define the key variables measured. Give units and level of measurement. Provide inclusion/exclusion criteria if present. Discuss the impact the inclusion/exclusion criteria have on the measurement of the variables and the reasoning behind the criteria such as controlling for confounds (should be in the article).
Is there pertinent literature informing the background and premise of the study? Are there gaps in the literature that the current study is addressing? Provide your analysis of the literature review and the qualities that support it.
Is there an underlying theoretical construct identified?
Identify key elements of the methods section. Is there a strategy for conducting the investigation that you feel is clear and valid? Is the research design appropriate for the study being conducted? Include your reasoning. Describe the population & sample. Does the sample size seem adequate to power the study? Identify the variables being studied (i.e. the DV and IV), the data collection strategy, and the type of data collected. Is baseline data included? Are the methods described adequately and fully enough to be replicated? Does the study seem to follow APA style guidelines or another manual of style such as MLA, Chicago, or AMA? Your responses should go beyond just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and describe ‘why’. For example, why do you feel the research design and the methods of analysis are appropriate?
Explain the use of descriptive and inferential stats (should have both). Are there measures of central tendencies, variability, correlations, test statistics, etc? How was data collected? Are tables and figures included? How did the use the descriptive and inferential statistics inform the analysis in the study?
Critique choice of methods and stats, including the sampling methodology and sample size. Comment on any tools used for measurement as related to reliability and validity. Specifically discuss the statistical methods used and if they were appropriate for the research question, study design, and variables analyzed. Were data collection instruments reliable and valid? How was this accounted for? Include whether the statistical analysis is suitable for the type of data being analyzed and the research question being addressed.
Are the results-is the analysis clearly explained and clearly presented? Include strengths and weaknesses of the analysis and support your reasoning. Did the tables and figures add value to the article? Was anything missing that you thought should have been included?
Explain the practical and statistical significance of the main results.
Discuss how the article you reviewed & analyzed connects (or doesn’t connect) with everyday Health Science. What does it add to the topic’s body of knowledge?
Provide an overall opinion regarding the robustness of the article. Discuss whether the article controls for bias and confounding factors. Discuss strengths & limitations of the research.
Provide a full reference for the article completed in APA format.
Provide the instructor with a copy of the article
Headings Needed:
All Pages must contain running head, usually 50 characters
Title page
Double space 7 times to start the title page
Summary of the article: A paragraph (3-6 sentences)
Data Collection: 1 page (see the rubrics on the specific information needed in this section)
Data analysis: 1.5 pages (see the rubrics on the specific information needed in this section)
Data interpretation: 1.5 pages (see the rubrics on the specific information needed in this section)
**Do not exceed 4-5 pages
***I want you to apply what you have learnt in this semester for the epi review. If you do not agree with what the author have done, say so and offer a solution, using evidence-informed practice. If you agree, suggest similar findings in this area. Write in third persons and direct sentence. Short sentences interspersed with long sentences. Avoid unnecessary lengthy sentences (not to exceed 30 words in a sentence). Follow the APA rules highlighted in the module.
Rubric (How you will graded):
10 Points
Appropriate article chosen for review.
Provided a concise and accurate summary of the article being reviewed & analyzed.
Identified the type of research conducted in the article (cross-sectional, prospective, retrospective, cohort studies).
Identified whether key elements are included.
20 Points
Supported your responses.
Identified the research question & main hypothesis and summarized how they are being tested.
Operationally defined the key variables measured. Provided units and level of measurement. Provided inclusion/exclusion criteria if present.
Discussed the impact the inclusion/exclusion criteria have on the measurement of the variables and the reasoning behind the criteria such as controlling for confounds.
Identified key elements of the methods section.
Supported your responses.
10 Points
Discussed if literature supports the background and premise of the study.
Identified whether there are gaps in the literature review and if so, what they are
Provided an analysis of the literature review
Supported your responses
20 Points
Identified and explained key elements of the methods section.
Discuss if there are systematic errors or bias in the findings and offer a justification why those errors may have occurred
Discussed whether the research design is appropriate for the study being conducted. Included your reasoning.
Explained the use of descriptive and inferential stats (should have both).
Critique choice of methods and stats, including the sampling methodology and sample size. Comment on any tools used for measurement as related to reliability and validity.
Explained the practical and statistical significance of the main results.
Supported your responses. Responses should go beyond just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and describe ‘why’.
10 Points
Provide an overall opinion regarding the robustness of the article.
Discuss whether the article controls for bias and confounding factors.
Discuss strengths & limitations of the research.
20 Points
Discussed how the article you reviewed & analyzed connects (or doesn’t connect) with everyday Health Science.
Discussed your overall opinion regarding the robustness of the article?
Discuss whether the article controls for bias and confounding factors. Discuss strengths & limitations of the research?
