Quantitative Nursing Research

Critique of Quantitative Nursing Research Worksheet

Authors

1. Evaluate 3 different elements of author credibility. Be specific as to each author’s credibility. (9 points)

Research Question, Research Problem, and Hypothesis

1. Identify the research question(s) to be answered by the author(s). (3 points)
2. Analyze the importance of the research problem to the nursing profession. (5 points)
3. Identify (explicit or implicit) any hypothesis. If a hypothesis was not included, provide an appropriate hypothesis based on the research proposal. (5 points)

Framework or Nursing Theory

1. Identify the framework or nursing theory. Is the framework or nursing theory adequate to address the purpose/problem of the study? Why or why not? If a framework or nursing theory is not acknowledged by the author(s), what (specific) framework/nursing theory is appropriate? Why? (6 points)

Design

1. Identify the design of the study. (3 points)
2. Is the design chosen by the authors adequate to address the purpose/problem of the study? Why or why not? (3 points)

Variables

1. Define the purpose of each type of variable in research; independent, dependent, and controlled. (6 points)
2. Identify the variables in the research; independent, dependent, and controlled. (6 points)

Population and Sample

1. What is the difference between a population and a sample as it pertains to research? (4 points)
2. Identify the target population? (3 points)
3. What is the sample size? Is the sample size sufficient? Why or why not? (3 points)
4. What is the sampling method for this research? Describe how that specific type of sampling is conducted in research (generalized)? (5 points)
5. How were the rights of human subjects protected? (4 points)

Methods and Instruments

1. Provide a brief overview of the methods/procedures of the study. (5 points)
2. Identify the instrument(s) used in the study. (4 points)
3. Evaluate the reliability and validity of the instrument. (5 points)

Data Analysis

1. Provide a brief overview of the results. (5 points)
2. How is significance determined statistically? (3 points)
3. Were the results statistically significant? Why or why not? (4 points)

Discussion

1. Identify the conclusions ascertained by the researchers. (5 points)
2. Are limitations of the research identified by the researcher(s)? If yes, what are the limitations? If no, identify 2 limitations. (4 points)