Guidelines
For this assignment you are to read and critically analyze one of the research articles you located on your selected PICO topic. You should select either a quantitative or qualitative study to analyze. The article you select should be readily accessible through the university’s library. This assignment provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to critically review research. This same technique should be applied to the literary matrix assignment for each of the articles used for your scholarly paper.
Components
This is a formal paper with two major parts. The first part is direct information you have identified from the selected article. This addresses information from the author’s (authors’) perspective (s) on what they identified as essential information. You should write this up in your own words, to demonstrate your level of understanding of the information the authors present. Be sure to write your information and summaries in the language suitable for a non-nursing audience.
The second part is your analysis of the information. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how well you think the authors present their study components.
Introduction
Identify the selected article and include the APA citation of the article. Briefly explain your intentions to write a critical analysis of the article. In the introduction indicate the research tradition used by the authors, either quantitative or qualitative, and indicate the selected methodology employed in the study.
Part 1- Article Content
You should write this up in your own words to demonstrate your level of understanding of the information the authors present. (This should take one page or less)
Identify the research question(s) addressed by the authors
Describe the theoretical framework that guides the study
Describe the research methodologies utilized in the study, examine those applied to data collection and data analysis
List the author’s (authors’) conclusions from their findings
Comment on the weaknesses and limitations of the study as identified by the authors
Part 2 – Critical Evaluation
In this section you evaluate the study by critiquing the design and implementation the authors used in the study. As you address each question, provide evidence of how you believe the components were addressed appropriately or not. Identify what gaps you notice and any questions this may raise in your mind. (This may take about four to five pages)
Have the research questions been addressed sufficiently?
Have the authors provided sufficient explanation for their chose in research design?
Have the authors explained their approach to selecting participants, the site and their data collection methodology?
Are there any inconsistencies between the research question and the study design, participants, or the research method?
Did the authors provide evidence of addressing reliability and validity within their study?
Are there any inconsistencies you note between the research methods and the stated findings?
Is there another way the study results could be interpreted?
Are there any ethical issues addressed in this work?
Comment on the quality and completeness of the study
What questions does the work raise in your mind?
What other issues or concerns have you identified?
What do you believe is the importance of this work?
The main body – with an unlabeled introduction, sections of the paper that correlate with Part I and Part II, with appropriate headings and subheadings as indicated, and a labeled conclusion that summarizes your main points in the paper
Supportive Information
In addition to the guidelines and the grading rubric for this assignment, your text is a valuable resource to help you complete the critical analysis. Rittenmeyer (2021) addresses essential evaluation areas in chapter 10.
Resources
Rittenmeyer, L. (2021). Appraise and plan I: All evidence is not created equal. In L. Hopp, & L. Rittenmeyer, (Eds). Introduction to evidence-based practice: A practical guide for nursing, (2nd ed, pp. 136-154). Philadelphia: FA Davis. Pages 136-154.
