Critical Appraisal for QUANTITATIVE WORK
Critical Appraisal for Quantitative Work due 12/01
GUIDELINES FOR THE CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH STUDIES
Schultz quant appraisal.pdf
1. What is the study purpose? (5 pts)
2. Describe the background and significance of the study (10pts)
3. Is a theoretical framework identified in the study? If yes, briefly describe. Does the theoretical framework describe and define the concepts of interest? If there is not an explicit framework, is there an implicit framework? If so, describe. (10 pts)
4. Describe the sample (size, how selected, inclusion and exclusion criteria). Does it appear to be representative? Was there attrition? Were there biases related to the sampling method? (10pts)
5. Describe the study design and procedures. What were the variables? How were they defined? How were data collected and measured? What tools were used? Were the tools valid and reliable? (15 pts)
6. What were the results? How do they fit with previous research in the area? (10pts)
7. What does this research mean for clinical practice or managerial decision-making? (10pts)
8. What would you recommend for future research on this issue/problem? (Be specific) (10 pts)
9. What did the authors identify as limitations of the study? Were there other limitations that you detected? (10pts)
10. Clarity of writing, APA format adhered to (10 pts) *Read the APA sheet and listen to the audio before turning in your paper.
Note:
Number your responses to the 9 questions above.
Most questions will be answered in a paragraph or two. If you are repeating information you probably answered one of the questions incorrectly.
* Tip – Limit your use of direct quotes. It is much better to learn to paraphrase. If you do use a direct quote, enclose it in quotation marks and cite the page number.
* Since it is clear you are referring to one article, you only need to cite it once in the beginning and once at the end. Please don’t reference every sentence.
* Save your paper as your last name(s), and submit it to Blackboard.
**Be sure to use APA format and include a title page and reference page (See APA sheet).
Sample Answer
Quantitative Analysis
- What is the study’s purpose?
The study aims to establish the effectiveness of using gel pillows as an intervention in preventing the negative outcome of the head molding in preterm infants in the NICU (Schultz et al., 2008). This would result in improved head molding in preterm infants.
- Describe the background and significance of the study
The article identifies the problem of an increasing number of premature infants with plagiocephaly without synostosis, such as having flattened heads without fusion of separate bones due to head molding. The head flattening factor leads to various outcomes, including sudden death syndrome, and thus researchers have been trying to find the key interventions suitable for reducing the problem. Some healthcare providers try repositioning the child after NICU care to improve on the molding of the head, but the child may still retain an abnormal head shape to even adulthood. The significance of the study is to improve the quality of NICU care in reducing abnormal head shaping and sudden death syndrome associated with poor placement of the neonate’s head in NICU.
- Is a theoretical framework identified in the study?
The research provided a framework that was used in basing the research variables to establish the effectiveness of the intervention against the issue. The framework consists of three main factors: the uncontrollable factors in utero, the therapeutic care factors, and the outcome variable. The research defines the concepts clearly in determining their relationship with the study. Uncontrollable factors during birth, such as oligohydramnios and multiple births, may contribute to the problem. These also include the birthing experience factors such as gestational age, birth weight, and type of delivery. The care factors include repositioning over attentiveness to restricting devices such as ventilators and CPAP. This also includes the type of mattress or pillow used. This guides the researchers in developing the variables for the research.
- Describe the sample
The study involved a sample of 81 neonates using exclusion criteria of hydrocephaly, cranial deformities, and microcephaly or central nervous system abnormalities. The neonates to be included in the study were those weighing 1500g and 34 weeks of age. The sample is large enough, and the inclusion and exclusion criteria define the ideal population for the research project. The study had no biases since the participants were randomly selected and screened through the exclusion and inclusion criteria.
- Describe the study design and procedures.
The study design used by the researchers is quasi-experimental. The main variables used in the study were time in weeks against the dependent variable of the head circumference of the neonates with time. These would describe the changes in the Child’s head formation depending on the type of mattress; the standard mattress and the intervention gel pillow. The researchers also obtained the diameters identified as AP (midline of the head, from the glabella to the occipital prominence) and the BP diameters between the sides of the head. The head circumference and diameter were measured in centimeters, while time was defined in terms of weeks. The time was recorded at the start of the research project, and all neonates had their head circumference measured at the start. The tool used for measuring the circumference of the child was digital calipers which is an effective tool for measuring diameter for estimating the circumference of the head. Measurements were taken after every seven days. The tool was thus valid and reliable in providing accurate and consistent results.
- What were the results? How do they fit with previous research in the area?
The study results established no significant difference in improving the head molding of the neonates in the NICU. The gel pillows did not show any significant difference in improving the shaping of the heads in the care unit compared to the use of standard mattresses. The research results also accept the previous research studies where water beds and the form pressure-relief mattresses showed no significant difference in reducing bilateral head molding.
- What does this research mean for clinical practice or managerial decision-making?
The research was focused on reducing bilateral head molding among neonates, which is positive towards quality health improvement in neonatal care. The research calls for healthy practices in helping neonatal patients achieve healthy and desirable head shapes during NICU care. The study indicates the clinical importance of maintaining close monitoring and regular changing of positions of the child as the only main and effective procedure in reducing bilateral head molding. Currently, there are no materials that provide significant improvement in head molding. Thus the management and clinical team should focus on the regular repositioning of the neonates even under other clinical processes to enhance quality molding of the neonate’s head.
- What would you recommend for future research on this issue/problem?
I would recommend future research on this problem of bilateral head molding to focus on the time needed to reposition the child in NICU. Most of the studies have concentrated on the materials for positioning the neonates in improving on the issue, and materials have proved to have no significant difference from the standard mattresses. Future studies should focus on establishing the optimal durations for repositioning the child to avoid bilateral head molding. The commonly used period is after every 3 hours, but future studies may consider shorter periods.
