Assignment # 3—Research Paper Critique
Please use the article that was approved through the Article Approval Assignment.
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).
The article you use should have been approved by your instructor earlier in the course.
The critique should contain the following:
Title Page
Introduction and Identification of the Problem
identify the problem statement or statement of purpose of the article
identify the hypothesis or research question
Literature Review Analysis
comment the on articleâ€s literature review (usually found in the introduction or background sections)
Participants, Sampling Issues, and Study Setting Analysis
describe the participants being studied, stating inclusion and exclusion criteria
discuss the sampling issues, such as probability or nonprobability and the number of subjects used
identify the study setting—where data collection occurred
Ethical Considerations
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
Research Design, Variables, and Methodology Analysis
identify the research design—for example, experimental or nonexperimental; descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, or predictive?
identify research variables, both independent and dependent
Data Analysis and Results
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 the level of evidence used, nursing theory addressed (including if no theory is described), and implications for nursing practice or research
Implications for Nursing Practice
discuss how the research findings can be applied to the clinical area
The following resources, in the Learning Resources section of the LEO classroom, will provide helpful guidelines for 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.
This assignment activity aligns with:
Course Outcome 2. Evaluate patient outcomes data to identify clinical practice areas that are amenable to quality improvement projects.
AACN BSN Essential III. 4: Evaluate the credibility of sources of information, including but not limited to databases and Internet resources.
