Assignment # 1—Research Paper Critique

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Instructions
Please select any nursing research article from any one of the scientific journals found in the Nursing-Related
Databases and Journals list. Select an article from an area that you are interested in or from the field you are
working in. The article must be a peer-reviewed research report that was published in the last 5 years. Using the
article selected, construct a critique of the article, 6 to 10 pages (including cover page and references).

It is strongly recommended that you send your article via e-mail to the instructor for approval before your begin
your critique.

The critique should

 identify the problem statement or statement of purpose of the article

 comment the on article’s literature review (usually found in the introduction or background sections)
 describe the participants being studied, stating inclusion and exclusion criteria

 discuss the sampling issues, such as probability or nonprobability and number of subjects used

 identify the study setting—where data collection occurred

 discuss informed consent—whether the participants were fully informed, how their consent was obtained, and
any other ethical considerations

 identify the hypothesis or research question

 identify the research design—for example, experimental or nonexperimental; descriptive, exploratory,

explanatory, or predictive?

 identify research variables, both independent and dependent

 describe how the study data were analyzed (what statistical measures were used)

 describe the results of the study and appropriateness of the methods used; include study limitations

 accurately comment on level of evidence used, nursing theory addressed (including if no theory is described) and
implications for nursing practice or research

 discuss how the research findings can be applied to the clinical area

You must submit a pdf copy of the article that you are critiquing along with the assignment.

The following resources, in the week 4 Learning Resources section of the LEO classroom, will provide helpful guidelines fo
constructing a critique of a nursing research article.
 Video

 Framework for how to read and critique a research study: Research Article Critique.

Articles

 Vance, D. E., Talley, M., Azuero, A., Pearce, P. F., & Christian, B. J. (2013). Conducting an article critique for a
quantitative research study: perspectives for doctoral students and other novice readers. Nursing: Research and
Reviews, 3: 67–75.
 Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2008). Undertaking a literature review: a step-by-step approach. British
Journal of Nursing, 17(1): 38-43.

The Learning Resources page lists resources that provide several guidelines for constructing a critique of a
nursing research article you may find helpful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your
instructor.

Start Date
Mar 18, 2019 12:00 AM
Due Date
Apr 15, 2019 8:00 AM

Hide Rubrics
Rubric Name: Assignment #1: Research Paper
Critique
This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first column. The
first row lists level names and includes scores if the rubric uses a
numeric scoring method.Criteria
Level 3
Level 2
Level 1
Description of Study
10 points

(7-10 points)

Provides clear, accurate comments on the title, abstract, introduction, and

purpose of the study

6 points

(3 - 6 points)

Provides comments on the title, abstract, introduction, or purpose of the study

2 points

(0-2 points)

Lacks comments on the title, abstract, introduction, or purpose of the study

/ 10
Participants
10 points

(7-10 points)

Discusses participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sample size, consent, and
other ethical considerations

6 points
 (3-6 points)

Includes information on participants, but lacks information regarding sample size

and/or consent

2 points

(0-2 points)

Provides little or no information regarding participants, sample size, or consent

/ 10
Research Question/hypothesis
20 points

(13 - 20 points)

Accurately identifies research question/hypotheses, including independent and

dependent variables

12 points

(6-12 points)

May not accurately identify research question/hypotheses or independent and

dependent variables

5 points

(0-5 points)

Lacks discussion of research question/hypotheses and/or study variables

/ 20
Review, Methods & Results
20 points

(13-20 points)

Accurately comments on literature review, research methods, data analyses, and

limitations of the study
12 points

(6-12 points)

Includes comments on literature review, research methods, data analyses, and

limitations of the study, but discussion was somewhat vague

5 points

(0-5 points)

Does not comment on literature review, research methods, data analyses, and
limitations of the study; or inaccurately discusses these aspects

/ 20
Article Evaluation
20 points

(13-20 points)

Accurately comments on level of evidence used, nursing theory, and implications

for nursing practice or research

12 points

(6-12 points)

Comments on level of evidence used, nursing theory, or implications for nursing

practice or research

5 points

(0-5 points)

Inaccurately comments on level of evidence used, nursing theory, or implications

for nursing practice or research

/ 20
Application to the Clinical Area
10 points

(7-10 points)
Discusses realistic applications of the research to the clinical area

6 points

(3-6 points)

Discusses somewhat realistic applications of the research to the clinical area

2 points

(0-2 points)

Does not discuss realistic applications of the research to the clinical area

/ 10
APA, Organization, Grammar & Spelling
10 points

(7-10 points)

Expertly applies APA guidelines in formatting and referencing; exhibits excellent

spelling and grammar throughout the paper; is well organized and easy to read

6 points

(3-6 points)

Applies APA, but exhibits some formatting or referencing mistakes; has some
spelling and grammar errors; is generally well written and easy to read, with
minimal organization problems

2 points

(0-2 points)

Has many APA, spelling, and/or grammar mistakes throughout the

paper; is difficult to read; may be ineffectively organized