The purpose of this assignment is for you to practice evaluation of evidence for practice and gain an insight into the differences between quantitative and qualitative research approaches.

Critique of Evidence (2000 words).

The purpose of this assignment is for you to practice evaluation of evidence for practice and gain an insight into the differences between quantitative and qualitative research approaches.

The module team has collated four pairs of research articles relating to four different nursing topics, one of the pair uses a qualitative approach, the other a quantitative approach (These can be found on the module Blackboard).

Your Task –

1. Choose a topic that interests you.
2. Complete the appropriate McMaster critiquing frameworks (qualitative and quantitative) for each of the articles you have chosen. You will be referring to these in your assignment so will need to save them and will later attach is to your assignment as appendices. These frameworks must be used. The critiquing frameworks will be also be available on Blackboard.
3. Using the frameworks Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the two articles.
4. Consider the value of the two different approaches (qualitative and quantitative) to the topic you have chosen.
5. Discuss the relevance of the research articles and whether you thought they provided evidence for best practice.

Specific Assignment Guidance

The following is only a suggested structure and guidance on what to include for the critique.

Introduction:

Briefly consider evidence-based practice (EBP) and critical evaluation of evidence.  You should clearly identify the “pair” of articles being critiqued.

Main Body:

First, referring to the critiquing frameworks outline the strengths and weaknesses of the two articles. Focus here on whether they were reliable and relevant and the strength of the evidence they presented (note that the module team might not have chosen perfect or even convincing articles). Provide evidence for your discussion here.

Next, consider the different types of evidence provided by the two different research approaches and if you believe one approach is superior to the other or are they complimentary. Again, provide evidence for your discussion.

Finally make a judgement about the articles - do they provide convincing evidence for practice and should they be utilised to influence nursing practice?  

Conclusion:

Summarise what you have learnt from this exercise and whether is has assisted you to read and evaluate research articles. Has your view on evidence based practice changed in any way

Additional Notes and Pointers

1. The completed McMaster critiquing frameworks, need to be legible, but can be brief. They do not form part of your word count, but MUST be attached to your assignment as appendices.
2. Utilise supporting literature within your assignment, this may be in relation to the research articles topic, and/or research approaches and evidence based practice.
3. Indicate whether the research articles support current practice or argue for a change to current practice.
4. Take nothing on face value, question everything!