Discuss how the investigator satisfied each criterion. Cite relevant passages in the articles, with reference to page number if appropriate.

Nursing Science and the Research Process

Listed below are criteria that you will use to critique research articles pertinent to your research area of interest. Discuss how the investigator satisfied each criterion. Cite relevant passages in the articles, with reference to page number if appropriate. Don’t merely respond “yes” or “no” to the presence or absence of each criterion – you must provide examples and rationale for your response.

I- Title of the Article and Authors . Is the title clear, including area of study and group studied? Are the author’s credentials included?

II- Introduction . Is the purpose of the study presented? Is the significance (importance) of the problem discussed? .Does the investigator provide a sense of what he or she is doing and why?

III- Problems Statement . Is the problem statement clear? . Does the investigator identify key research questions and variables to be examined? . Does the study have the potential to help solve a problem that is currently faced in clinical practice?

IV- Literature Review . Does the literature review follow a logical sequence leading to a critical review of supporting and conflicting prior work? . Is the relationship of the study to previous research clear? . Does the study have the potential gaps in the literature and support the necessity of the present study?

V- Theoretical Framework and Hypotheses . Is a rationale stated for the theoretical/conceptual framework? . Does the investigator clearly state the theoretical basis for hypotheses formulation? Is the hypotheses stated precisely and in a form that permits it to be rested?

VI- Methodology . Are the relevant variables and concepts clearly and operationally defined? . Is the design appropriate for the research questions or hypotheses? Criteria . Are methods of data collection sufficiently described? . What are the identified and potential threats to internal and external validity that were present in the study? . If there was more than one data collector, was interpreter reliability adequate?

VII- Sample . Are the subjects and sampling methods described? . Is the sample of sufficient size for the study, given the number of variables and design? . Is the adequate assurance that the rights of human subjects were protected? VIII- Instruments . Are appropriate instruments for data collection used? . Are reliability and validity of the measurement instruments adequate? IX- Data Analysis . Are the statistical tests used identified and the values reported? . Are appropriate statistics used, according to level of measurement, sample size, sampling method, and hypotheses/research questions? X- Results . Are the results for each hypothesis clearly and objectively presented? . Do the figures and tables illuminate the presentation of results? Are results described in light of the theoretical framework and supporting literature? XI- Conclusion/Discussion . Are conclusions based on the results and related to the hypotheses? . Are study limitations identified? . Are implications of findings discussed (i.e., for practice, education, and research)? Are recommendations for further research stated?