Summative Assignment: Critique of Research Article

A research critique demonstrates your ability to critically read an investigative study. For this assignment, choose a research article related to nursing or medicine to critique.

Articles used for one assignment can’t be used for the other assignments (students should find new research articles for each assignment).
The selected articles should be original research articles. Review articles, meta-analysis, meta-synthesis, and systemic review should not be used.
Mixed-methods studies should not be used.
Your critique should include the following:

Research Problem/Purpose

State the problem clearly as it is presented in the report.
Have the investigators placed the study problem within the context of existing knowledge?
Will the study solve a problem relevant to nursing?
State the purpose of the research.
Review of the Literature

Identify the concepts explored in the literature review.
Were the references current? If not, what do you think the reasons are?

Theoretical Framework

Are the theoretical concepts defined and related to the research?
Does the research draw solely on nursing theory or does it draw on theory from other disciplines?
Is a theoretical framework stated in this research piece?
If not, suggest one that might be suitable for the study.

Variables/Hypotheses/Questions/Assumptions

What are the independent and dependent variables in this study?
Are the operational definitions of the variables given? If so, are they concrete and measurable?
Is the research question or the hypothesis stated? What is it?

Methodology

What type of design (quantitative, qualitative, and type) was used in this study?
Was inductive or deductive reasoning used in this study?
State the sample size and study population, sampling method, and study setting.
Did the investigator choose a probability or non-probability sample?
State the type of reliability and the validity of the measurement tools.
Were ethical considerations addressed?

Data Analysis

What data analysis tool was used?
How were the results presented in the study?
Identify at least one (1) finding.

Summary/Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations

What are the strengths and limitations of the study?
In terms of the findings, can the researcher generalize to other populations? Explain.
Evaluate the findings and conclusions as to their significance for nursing.

Making it mine

Using the following guide, prepare a personal reflection paper:

    Light Bulb Moments:  Quote a sentence or sentences from the God with Us: An Introduction to the Old Testament text that impressed you this week.  Write one paragraph to explain why this caught your attention.  Then record a verse or verses from the Bible reading for this week and write one full paragraph explaining the significance of this quote to you.
    Hall of Fame:  In two full paragraphs, choose a famous Bible person you studied in this workshop.  Describe what you learned about this person that you could apply to your own life, character, or leadership.  What do you see in the person’s life that you would like to emulate?
    Talking to God:  Write a short one-paragraph prayer, in the form of a letter or perhaps a short poem, that reflects what you want to express to God this week.  You may model your prayer after one of the Psalms you read during this week.  Remember that the Psalms always praised some characteristic of God, were honest and open, and displayed creativity of expression.  Try to incorporate those three elements in your short prayer.

Functionalism Theory

Theory summery report: The article is assigned to illustrate applications of one major theoretical perspective.
A. Explain three different ways we know that this article supports the theory.
B. Show in details how the theory is consistent with the writings of one major person who suppose the theory.

(No formal introduction needed or summery of article, just down to the point. Example: “One reason the article supports……second reason the article supports…”

(Attached is the article and some information about Functionalism)

Role culture plays in attachment

In your substantive essay,
        Discuss what role culture may play in attachment.
        Assess how being from a collectivist vs. an individualist culture makes a difference in infant attachment.
        Explain why or why not.