UNCW School of Nursing

NSG 415
Research Article Critique Guidelines

Directions: Select a research article from the list below. Address each of the following questions to write the critique. Answer EACH question. Your response to each question is worth one point (total=15 points). The critique must not exceed three double-spaced typed pages.

Type the question, or copy it from this display, then provide your answer below the question

  1. How clear is the problem statement?

  2. How well are terms in the independent and dependent variables defined?

  3. How clear are the research question(s) and/or the hypotheses?

  4. To what degree does the literature review provide enough information for understandinig the problem?

  5. How clear is the study design?

  6. How was the study sample determined (if one was used)?

  7. How were the subjects selected?

  8. How was validity established for the instrument? What types of validity?

  9. How was reliability established for the instrument? What types of reliability?

  10. How reasonable do results from the study seem given the study design?

  11. To what degree are conclusions in the article based on findings from the study?

  12. How reasonable are recommendations in the article?

  13. Is the research basic (experimental) or applied?

  14. Briefly describe how you would use findings from the research in clinical practice. How important do you believe this research is to nursing?

  15. Describe ideas the article gives you for further research.

Choose one of the following articles to critique:
Adams, C., Berger, R., Conning, P., Cruikshank, L., & Dore, K. (2001). Breastfeeding trends at a community breastfeeding center: An evaluative survey. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 30(4), 392-400.

Horowitz, J.A., Bell, M., Trybulski, J., Munro, B.H., Moser, D., Hartz, S.A., McCordic, L., & Sokol, E.S. (2001). Promoting responsiveness between mothers with depressive symptoms and their infants. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33(4), 323-329.

Lyon, D.E, & Younger, J.B. (2001). Purpose in life and depressive symptoms in persons living with HIV disease. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33(2), 129-133.

last updated: 23 April 2002