Using a critiquing framework PDF

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Notes on how to critique journal articles nursing theory and practice....

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How to use a Critical Appraisal Framework in nursing studies You have to state the purpose of the study  

Is the knowledge sought readily available? Is there and important reason for the research to be undertaken?

Despite being relatively common, there is a lack of robust evidence concerning the effectiveness of treatment options for open surgical wounds (Vermeulen et al., 2005, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2008, Dumville et al., 2015).  Are the potential outcomes of the study realistic? While there is an expansive literature relating to patients’ experiences of chronic wounds, such as leg ulcers (Briggs and Flemming, 2007, Faria et al., 2011, Finlayson et al., 2017, Green et al., 2013, Green et al., 2014, Hareendran et al., 2005, Herber et al., 2007, Persoon et al., 2004), evidence concerning the impact on patients of experiencing an open surgical wound is lacking. Our qualitative study, embedded within a large programme of research related to open surgical wounds, specifically aimed to explore patients’ perspectives of living with an open surgical wound, and to elicit their views regarding healing of their wounds and their experiences of treatment.  

Was the researcher(s) appropriately qualified/supported to undertake the research? Are there any concerns about any funders of the research in relation to the process of the research described?

Research problem and research questions   

Is the problem significant and researchable and have all potential ways of solving the problem been considered? Are all research questions and hypotheses developed directly from the problem? Did the research place unethical or unrealistic demands on participants?

Literature search       

Was there are search of good range of literature? Was there a search strategy with named databases and key search terms? Was the review balanced and not biased? Was the literature critically appraised? Was any conflicting evidence clearly presented? Did the literature review provide rationale and direction for the research? Were any limitations of the literature identified?

Sample selection

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Was an appropriate sampling strategy used? If a random sample was selected, was it genuinely random? Were any biases in the sample group identified? Was the target population identified in a quantitative study? Was there a clear account of how participants were recruited and selected to take part in the study? Was there any coercion in recruiting participants? Was there clear evidence that participants gave informed consent? If the participants were vulnerable, has this been clearly considered in the study? Was the research reviewed by a Research Ethics Committee? Were any governance issues dealt with appropriately? Were all the participants accounted for throughout the study, i.e. did the numbers add up?

Research design and data collection       

Was the design of the study appropriate to the research questions? Was an appropriate method of data collection used? Were the participants protected from physical and psychological harm? Were the issues of ‘deception’ dealt with appropriately in observational studies? Were the data gathered by appropriate people? Was the researcher’s role and relationship with the participants fully considered? Were the data authenticated in qualitative studies?

Results and analysis of findings    

Were the results and analysis linked back to the original research questions? Were the results and analysis manipulated in order to favour particular findings? Was there any evidence of lost data? Was there evidence of a statistician’s input into complex quantitative analysis?

Conclusions, recommendations and limitations     

Were the conclusions and recommendations based on the results of the study? Was it clear that there was no intention to mislead or give false conclusions? Was the sample selected considered in relation to the recommendations? Did the research acknowledge any limitations? Were limitations of the findings of the study identified, as well as limitations of the study design and techniques?

General points including ethical issues   

Ethical issues should be considered at all stages of the study. There should be clear evidence that privacy, dignity, anonymity and confidentiality were maintained throughout the study. The researcher should have identified ethical issues related to the study.

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The researcher should acknowledge sources of support and funding. When critically appraising research, readers should acknowledge their own limitations and gain assistance when necessary.

Useful source: Hek, G. and Moule, P. (2006) Making sense of Research: An introduction for Health and Social Care Practitioners, London: Sage Publications...