Purpose

Critiquing research papers helps a nurse remain current in the scientific literature and allows postgraduate students to analyse, describe and interpret a text to show understanding of what has been read.

Task details

This assessment is designed to apply and consolidate learning in relation to understanding the key considerations when reading and interpreting an evidence-based clinical nursing article.

Read the article provided and write a brief review of the article using criteria to demonstrate your understanding and interpretation of the text.

Instructions

Using the criteria outlined in the subject content below, provide a concise description and analysis of the text.

Introduction

A journal article review’s introduction typically contains one paragraph, while a longer book review might have two or three paragraphs. Include a few sentences in the introduction announcing the author(s), the title, and briefly outlining the text’s subject. Summarise the main finding or main argument of the text and state its purpose. Finish the introduction with a brief assessment of the text. This assessment may be positive, neutral, adverse, or, as is frequently the case, a combination of the three.

Summary

Give a concise summary of the main ideas and a few representative examples. You may also briefly describe the text’s organisation and the author’s intentions throughout the text. Between a third and half of your review should be committed to your summary.

Critique

The critique ought to be a balanced discussion and assessment of the text’s advantages, disadvantages, and distinguishing qualities. Do not forget to base your discussion on specific criteria, rather than vague descriptions of it being ‘well written’, for example. To support your assessment, good reviews often include additional sources (remember to cite).

Conclusion and references

A conclusion, as mentioned earlier, should tie up the main points. It should restate your overall position, which in a critical review is your opinion of the text. You should never introduce new points in a conclusion, but you might add some further qualification of your opinion, to appear measured and reasonable.

Any other sources that you have referred to in your review must be detailed in a list of references, in the required format (APA7).

• Summarise the text and compare and contrast it with other relevant literature.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the text.
• Select, summarise and/or paraphrase supporting evidence from the text to demonstrate and support analysis.
• Please use an APA 7 Title Page on the front of your document.
• Provide an introduction and conclusion.
• Please ensure that your document adheres to APA 7 Style Guidelines with respect to overall formatting, as well as in-text citations and the end-of-text Reference List.

Resources and readings relevant to the assessment

Link to the APA Style Guide for Heading Levels:

Link to APA 7 referencing style guide: