NURSING RESEARCH

PRESENTATION
ON
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF NURSING STUDIES

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 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF NURSING RESEARCH/ RESEARCH
CRITIQUE
INTRODUCTION
Evidence based practice, is the use of the best clinical evidence in making patient
care decision and such evidence typically comes from research conducted by nurses and other
health care professionals. Researcher is systematically inquiry that uses disciplined method to
answer question or solve problem.

To be critical does not mean to criticize in an exclusively negative manner. To be

critical of a text means to question the information and opinions in the text, in an attempt to
evaluate or judge its worth overall.

Research critique is a planned, careful critical evaluation of a piece of research

work against the pre specified criteria to judge the strengths and weaknesses of the research
study. Critique should be balanced, where alternative suggestions must be provided to further
enforce the strength and eliminate the weakness of the study to improve overall quality of the
research project.

DEFINITIONS

 “A research critique is a mechanism to provide feedback for improvement. They suggest that
nurses who can critically review a study make valuable contributions to the body of nursing
knowledge.” Polit and Beck

 “A research critique is a careful appraisal of the strength and weakness of the study”.

D Elakkuvana Bhaskara Raj

 “Research critique is a planned, careful critical evaluation of pies of research work against
the pre specified criteria to judge the strength and weaknesses of the research study.
Critique should be balanced, where alternatives suggestions must be provided to further
enforce the strength and eliminate the weaknesses of the study to improve overall quality of
the research project.” Suresh K Sharma

 A research critique is a careful, critical appraisal of strengths and limitations of a research

report Polit &Hungler, 2010

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 A research critique is defined as a critical analysis of a research report on the strength and
weaknesses of the research project and intends to refine the quality of the project.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH CRITIQUE

 Develops and refine the knowledge

 Helpful for broadening the understanding of the study
 Improves nursing practice
 Maintains the standard of study
 Guarantees the quality of the study

PURPOSES

Critiquing of research study is done with many purposes. During the course of
study, students are given opportunity to critique a research work. This is for checking their
mastery of methodological and analytical skills. The overall aims of the critiquing a research
work is to develop a balanced evaluation of contributing to the knowledge on the subject
through the study.

 To provide inputs regarding the strength and weaknesses of a study to the researchers
 To provide suggestions to the students regarding the methodological flaws in their
research project and also to evaluate the understanding of research by the students.
 To judge the scientific merits of the study.
 To take a decision whether to publish the study in journal or not.
 To assess the scientific values of investigations.
 To identify virtues as well as fault.
 To suggest possibilities for the design of replications.
 To assess the research findings before applying it to nursing practice.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A RESEARCH CRITIQUE

 Read and understand the research report carefully.

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  Carryout the critical appraisal of all the aspect of research report before writing the
critique of a research report.
 Avoid general vague statements; be objective and sensitive while framing the
negative comments, be practical by considering all the limitations of the research.
 Keep a balanced approach in the research critique by presenting both strong and weak
point of the research report, because certainly no report can be without any negative
aspects. In addition, we must just let go after framing negative comments; alternative
suggestions must be provided for further improvement in research project.
 Positive and negative comments must be supported with examples to make a clear
stand about the strength and weakness of the research report.

STEPS IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH CRITIQU

Beginners often face many practical difficulties in critiquing a research report. From the
experience as a research supervisor and a teacher for so many years, the author has seen
students making many fundamental mistakes while doing critiquing. Some practical
suggestions for conducting effective critiquing. process are as follows:

1. Read and critique the entire study. A research critique involves examining the quality
of all steps of the research process.
2. Examine the organization and presentation of the research report. A well-prepared
report is
Complete, concise, clearly presented and logically organized. It does not involve
excessive jargon that difficult for students and practicing nurses to read. The reference
need to be complete and presented in a consistent manner.
3. Examine the significance of the problem studied for nursing practice. The focus of
nursing studies needs to be on the significant practice problem if a sound knowledge
base is to be developed for the profession.
4. Identify strength and weakness of a study. All studies have strength and weaknesses,
so attention must be given to all aspect of the study.
5. Be objective and realistic in identifying the study ‘s strength and weaknesses overly
flattering in identifying strengths.
6. Provide specific example of the strength and weaknesses of a study. Example provide
evidence for your critique of the strength and weakness of the study.

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 7. Provide a rationale for your critique. Include justifications for the critique and
document ideas with sources from the current literature.
8. Suggest modifications for future studies. Modifications in future studies will increase
the strength and decreases the weakness identified in the present study.
9. Discuss the feasibility of replication of the study is the study presented in enough
detail to be replicated.
10. Discuss the usefulness of the findings for the practice. The findings from the study
need to be linked to the findings of previous studies. All those findings need to be
examined for use in clinical practice.

HOW TO CRITIQUE A RESEARCH REPORT

Title

 Is the title frame properly?

 Has the researcher mentioned the study variable?
 Has the researcher mentioned the population?
 Is it clear?
 Is it concise and informative?

Abstract

 Has been formulated clearly?

 Is the word limit within 150-250?
 Does it state the problem clearly?
 Are result summarized?
 Is the conclusion stated?

Style organization

 Is the organization of the contents adequate?

 Is there clarity in the research report?

Research problem and purpose

 Is the problem stated clearly?

 It is the researchable problem?
 What is the study purpose?

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  Does meet the criteria?

Objectives

 Is the objective specified clearly?

 Does the objective reflect how the result will be useful?

Hypothesis

 Is the hypothesis properly worded?

 Does the hypothesis specify the relationship between variables?
 Is it testable?

Operational definitions

 Are all the required words clearly defined?

 Theoretical and conceptual framework?
 Is the model suitable for the study?

Literature review

 Has it been organized properly under each subdivision?

 How recent is the review?

Methodology

 The researcher must make a number of important decision while proceeding with the
research process. Evaluate the consequences of decision taken in this target

Research approach

 Has the researcher mentioned the research approach?

 Is the research approach suitable for the topic?

Setting

 Do the candidates mention the setting?

 Is it suitable for the study?
 Does the setting help in generalization?

Population

 Does it suit the study variables?

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  Is the target population defined?

Sample

 What is the sample size?

 In the inclusion or exclusion criteria are adequate?

Data collection methods and tools

 Is the research tool suitable for the study?

 Are the instruments explained

Discussion

 Are the results discussed in terms of research topic?

 Is any practical application possible with the study?

Conclusion

 Are the main findings appropriate?

 What are the recommendations made for further studies?

Reference

 Are the references relevant and complete?

 Are the references from credible sources?

RESEARCH CRITIQUE REPORT

TITLE

Knowledge and attitude among junior public health nurses regarding revised national
tuberculosis control programme– directly observed treatment short course. The title frame
constructed accurately. The study variable and population written clearly and concisely.

The study conducted by Sr. Thressiamma M. L (Sr. Sheela) in 2016

ABSTRACT

The abstract formulated clearly and word count 245. The statement of problem made exactly.
Result of the study and conclusion expressed appropriately

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STYLE ORGANIZATION

Content of study searched adequately and organized great manner clearly and worthfully.

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

Assess knowledge and attitude among junior public health nurses regarding revised national
tuberculosis control programme– directly observed treatment short course in selected primary
health centers of Kollam.

The problem stated specifically and very appt problem. Feasible and can work out study with
adequate effort.

PURPOSE

The study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitude among junior public Health nurses
regarding revised national tuberculosis control programme- directly observed treatment
course in selected primary health centers at Kollam. This research problem is relevant
because among all infectious disease Tuberculosis is one of the six killer disease caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is one of the most common infectious disease and a serious
public health problem in the world. Especially assessing the knowledge and attitude of Junior
Public Health Nurses regarding revised national tuberculosis control programme, because the
JPHN are usually get informed regarding new cases. So, their knowledge and attitude have
great role in managing the disease.

OBJECTIVES

The study objectives are related to the research problem itself and this objective met by this
research work. The knowledge and attitude among JPHNs regarding RNTCP- DOTS
programme by using structured questionnaire and modified attitude scale and selected socio-
demographic variables.

HYPOTHESES

Hypotheses stated associated with the study. It assumed appropriately in relation with
variables. The research findings and hypotheses are testable.

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OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS

All word defined clearly and self-explainable. The theoretical framework mentioned clearly
and used appropriately. The model is exactly suite for this study.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Review of related literature done as and when needed and organized as divisions and
subdivisions.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology of study is exact and suite for the study

RESEARCH APPROACH

Non experimental survey format

SETTING

The study settings were PHCs of Kollam district.

POPULATION

The population of the study selected form PHC’s of Kollam district.

SAMPLE

Purposive sampling technique used that is appropriate for this study.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS AND TOOLS

Semi structured questionnaire prepared and validated by experts and also used prepared scale
for assess the attitude. The tools and data collections were done appropriately.

DISCUSSION

The discussion of study done accurately and as per the rule of university. The study result
shows improvement in the practice and attitude of the JPHNs.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion of the study done nicely and study result written clearly and legibly.

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REFERENCE

Adequate and significant references used throughout study and written in Vancouver style.

CONCLUSION

As per the part of research critical analysis I got a chance to present one research report. I
extant my sincere thankful heart to Rev. Sr. Gertrude HOD of the Research Department, Holy
Cross College of Nursing Kottiyam, for sister whole hearted support and encouragement. The
selection of research problem is very relevant and as need of the nation and health aspect.
The researcher herself collected all needed data and conducted the study as perfectly as
possible. The method used for this study id survey with validated questionnaire.
Interpretation and findings are flawless and transparent. Interpretation and findings are
authentic. Recommendations given is very powerful. Certainly, there is some limitations as
usual in all studies and suggestions made exactly as per the findings. Again, appreciating the
researcher who did all the effort for this excellent study.

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