Research Critique

[drsrn]

Hi Everyone, I'm currently enrolled in an RN-BSN program and taking my first research class ever. I am required to do a Research Critique on an assigned article. This project will count for a high percentage of my grade. Most of the students in the class were assigned quantitative articles, but I believe my article is grounded theory qualitative. The article is entitled: Application of a theoretical framework to foster a cardiac-diabetes self-management programme (Wu, 2014). The article discusses self-efficacy strategies for patients with these 2 co-morbidities. Patients were interviewed regarding basic skills of self-management of their dual diagnoses. The interviews were conducted face-face and by phone. For example in person the patients were encouraged to check glucose levels and discuss the meaning. Open ended-questions regarding experiences were asked via phone. The exact number/sample is not mentioned in the article. Basically I am seeking verification that I am on the right track in my thinking that this has to be a qualitative article. I work full-time and I'm in school full-time so time is valuable. I have already spent numerous hours studying this article. None of the nurses in my work place have a clue. Thank you for your help! I appreciate and welcome all advice.

[NotYourMamasRN]

Qualitative

[compassionresearcher]

This paper is not a research study. It is a program and methods description. The authors had published the results of their study previously. This particular article is more of a program evaluation. They are giving a detailed description of their program and how the framework guided them. So, you were right to feel like you were going crazy! Your instincts were right that there should be an N given along with results . And if qual. then it would typically have themes. Perhaps you could email your instructor to request another one!

[drsrn]

Thank you! Now I feel much better about myself and I plan to email my instructor Monday.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Thank you! Now I feel much better about myself and I plan to email my instructor Monday.

Yes, email your instructor for clarification, perhaps she inadvertently assigned you the wrong article and intended for you to use the earlier research article by the same author.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Right, I was thinking the same thing, maybe that it is more of a QI project. Without seeing the article, I wonder if the "interview" was more of the kind of interview a case manager would do when working with a patient.

The lack of IRB mention is a red flag that this is not a "research" article but more like a new initiative for a health care organization to reduce readmits etc.

[drsrn]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their helpful advice. My instructor replied to my email today and guess what?! I wasn't wrong to be concerned about this article....NOT a research article! I was given another article to critique along with apologies. Honestly, this turned out to be an excellent learning experience for me, as I gained so much knowledge during this frustrating process!

[RobbiRN, RN]

Application of a theoretical framework to foster a cardiac-diabetes self-management programme (Wu, 2014). The article discusses self-efficacy strategies for patients with these 2 co-morbidities.

What a mouthful! So, just for fun, I just want to see if I can say this in plain English, cut the total word count in half and leave out the really big ones: "The article explores the ability of diabetic heart patients to care for themselves."

Did I miss anything?

[Boomer MS, RN]

Learning to critique a research article involves a steep learning curve. Below is a guide for the steps to follow. I'm hoping you received an introduction to the process in your class.

http://www.nursingworld.org/research-toolkit/Framework-for-How-to-Read-and-Critique-a-Research-Study