MSN5300: Advanced Nursing Inquiry, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice

Critical Appraisal Worksheet for Individual
Project 2, Part b

Elements of Appraisal

Discussion               

Study Design

Was the study a qualitative
or quantitative design? Explain.

Practice Problem

State the practice
problem/issue that is the focus of the study.

How does this practice
problem/issue affect your nursing
practice?

Study
Purpose          

State the purpose of the study.

Discuss whether this study was feasible to conduct in
terms of money commitment; the researchers’ expertise; availability of
subjects, and ethical considerations.

Review of Literature

Was the literature review organized to show the
progressive development of evidence from previous research?

Was a clear, concise summary presented of the current empirical
and theoretical knowledge in the area of the study?

Did the literature review summary identify what was known
and not known about the research problem? Did it logically direct the
research purpose?

Theoretical Framework

Is a conceptual model or theoretical framework used? If
so, is it presented with clarity? Does it adequately explain the phenomenon
of concern?

Is the framework linked to the research purpose? If not,
would another framework fit more logically with the study?

If a proposition or relationship from a theory is to be
tested, is the proposition clearly identified and linked to the study
hypothesis?

Research Question(s) and Hpothesis(es)

What is the research question? Is it clearly stated?

Does the research question match the purpose of the
study?

What is the research
hypothesis? Is it clearly stated?

Does the hypothesis match
the purpose of the study?

Formulate a null hypothesis
for this study.

Were the objectives,
questions, or hypotheses logically linked to the concepts and relationships
(propositions) in the framework? Explain.

Variables

List all research variables
with corresponding levels of measurement on the NOIR scale.

Do variables represent the
concepts identified in the framework?

How is each study variable defined (both conceptually and operationally)?

Are conceptual definitions of variables consistent with
operational definitions?

Study Design

What was the design was used in the study? Was it the
most appropriate design to answer the study question? Explain.

Was the design logically linked to the sampling method
and statistical analyses?

Did the design provide a means to examine all
objectives, questions, or hypotheses?

If there was an intervention (treatment) in the study: