In Evidence Based Practice, you critically analyse research to evaluate the design of a study and its findings. These tools are used to help you to systematically work through different kinds of research papers step-by-step, assessing their quality and results.
HudsonâBarr, D. (2004). How to read a research article. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 9(2), 70-72., https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1088-145X.2004.00070.x (Free on website)
Understanding Health Research This tool will guide you through a series of questions to help you to review and interpret a published health research paper.
Coughlan, M., Cronin, P., & Ryan, F. (2007). Step-by-step guide to critiquing research. Part 1: quantitative research. British Journal of Nursing, 16 (11), pp. 658–663. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2007.16.11.23681 (Full text in CINAHL, Free online)
Ryan F., Coughlan, M., & Cronin, P. (2007). Step-by-step guide to critiquing research. Part 2: qualitative research. British Journal of Nursing, 16 (12), pp. 738–744. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2007.16.12.23726 (Full text in CINAHL, Free online)
American Nurses Association. Framework for how to read and critique a research study (One page list, in pdf form, of things to look for in a research article),
Quantitative research articles are usually written in a standardized format called the IMRaD format: Introduction, Methods, Results, (and) Discussion sections of the articles. There is also usually a Conclusions section. By following this conventional structure, authors ensure that readers of their articles will be able to readily locate the paper's critical elements.
Title Page
Abstract or Summary of the research
Introduction: Why was the study done?
Methods: Describes how they did the study
Results - What did the researchers find?
Discussion:
Conclusions or Comments:
Abstract
Introduction and Aim of the Study
Literature Review
Sample Description
Data Collection Methods
Findings
Discussion
Conclusion