Research Critique Term Paper:
Instructions
The Term Paper is a 6-8 page critique of one article that you will select. Choose a topic that is interesting to you and no older than 5 years. Your task is to apply your newly acquired knowledge of nursing research and analyze the article you have chosen.
The page count does NOT include title page and reference page.
The paper should be written in APA style. No abstract page is required; however, a title page, page numbers and a reference section are required. You should organize your paper using headings that correspond with the rubric sections. Good grammar and spelling are important skills for the professional nurse, and both are expected in this document.
The first part of the paper, sections 1-5, is due at the end of Week 4. Please see your syllabus for the due date. This first part will be reviewed by your instructor and detailed comments will be provided within one week of the submission.
You will then be able to revise your paper. The hope is that you will learn from this initial commentary and will correct your errors. Your final paper should reflect your corrections and it is expected that you will not make the same errors in the last part of the document.
The rubric is your guide. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of what to include in your paper, rather it is a guide to the minimum content that one would expect to see in each of the sections.
Please remember that this is critique. You are critically appraising the article. This is an active interpretation and objective assessment of the article in which you identify key concepts, ideas, and justification of your choices.
You will turn in the first part of your paper via the Assignment found on Canvas in Week 4.
You will turn in the finished paper via the Assignment found on Canvas in Week 8.
Rubric
Research Article – Quantitative Rubric
|
Section |
Possible Score |
Your Score |
Minimum Content |
|
1. Introduction |
40 |
|
1. Well organized. Smoothly pulls reader into topic. 2. Presents the main focus of the paper. |
|
2. Title and Abstract |
40 |
|
1. Is the title a good one, succinctly suggesting key variables and the study population? 2. Does the abstract clearly and concisely summarize the main features of the report (problem, methods, results, conclusions)? |
|
3. Research Problem and Purpose |
40 |
|
1. What are the study problem and purpose? Is the problem stated unambiguously and is it easy to identify? 2. Is the problem significant and relevant to nursing? 3. Was the study feasible conduct in terms of money commitment; the researchers’ expertise; availability of subjects, facility, and equipment; and ethical considerations? 4. Were purpose statements or research questions worded appropriately? |
|
4. Literature Review |
40 |
|
1. Are relevant previous studies identified and described? 2. Are relevant theories and models identified and described? 3. Are the references current? Examine the number of sources in the past 5 and 10 years in the reference list. 4. Is the literature review organized to demonstrate the progressive development of ideas through previous research? 5. Does the summary of the current empirical and theoretical knowledge provide a basis for the study? |
|
5. Study Framework |
40 |
|
1. Is the framework explicitly presented or must it be extracted from the literature review? 2. Does the framework describe and define the concepts of interest? 3. Does the framework present the relationships among the concepts? Is a map or model of the framework provided for clarity? 4. Are the concepts in the framework linked to the study variables? 5. If a proposition from a theory is to be tested, is the proposition clearly identified and linked to the study’s hypothesis? |
|
TOTALS |
200 |
|
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