Critical Appraisal

  Present a complete critical appraisal of a new topic of your choice, relative to your discipline, expressed as a focused PICOT question, using the theory and processes that have been presented in this course. Please note you must select a different clinical, administrative, or academic question for this assignment than you used for either M3 or M7, and therefore, different literature. This will broaden your understanding of EBP, and further your skills in creating focused PICOT questions and critically appraising peer-reviewed journal articles. A critical appraisal study typically includes 3-5 current (within the past 5 years) high-quality, peer-reviewed, research studies. Remember we are looking for the best available evidence for inclusion, using accepted standards for evidence-based practice. This assignment should be completed as a paper. To enhance organization, ensure all headings (and subheadings, where applicable) are clearly specified and all components of the critical appraisal study are addressed. The document should be 6-8 pages in length, not including the title page and references. The critical appraisal/review summary should include the following information and sections: • Title/cover page • Abstract (structured): This should be a structured abstract for your review summary as a whole. The usual headings are Purpose, Methods, Results, and Conclusion. Follow current APA formatting rules and remember that abstracts should be concise. While the (structured) abstract appears first in the paper, this section is always written last. • Introduction (include the following): o Importance of the problem o Search strategy: Identify the databases you searched (e.g., PubMed, Ovid, CINAHL) o Inclusion and exclusion criteria used, relative to the search strategy (e.g., a certain date range; specific article types, such as systematic reviews and RCTs; specific topic areas) o Results of search: Indicate how many relevant research journal articles were located • Clinical Scenario • Focused PICOT Question For each article (note the articles you select should constitute your "best evidence"): • Follow the outline below for quantitative research studies. 1. Significance of the problem and the ‘so what” factor 2. Specific Aim of the study a. Research question(s) or b. Hypotheses 3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework 4. Study Design 5. Subjects a. Sampling design b. Sampling criteria - Inclusion Criteria - Exclusion Criteria 6. Variables - Independent variable(s) (in an experimental study. the intervention being proposed). - Dependent Variable(s) (the “so what” outcomes) and measures. - Mediating variables, if applicable (e.g, the variables through which the intervention will most likely exert its effects) - Confounding or extraneous variable(s) with potential control strategies 7. Statistical Issues - Sample size - Approach to Analyses Note examples for a descriptive correlational study and an RCT are provided. Use the general guidelines, drawing on the examples, for research articles with other study designs, such as systematic reviews and cohort studies: • Should you elect to include (appropriately) qualitative research studies, also, follow the below guidelines 1. Identify a study question 2. Review the literature 3. Define the theoretical perspective. 4. Select an appropriate research design 5. Formulate a purpose statement 6. Establish study significance 7. Describe the research procedures 8. Discuss study limitations • Include the ranking for the level of evidence (e.g., 1a or 1b). Use the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine definitions and levels (https://www.essentialevidenceplus.com/product/ebm_loe.cfm?show=oxford). • Provide a brief conclusion at the end of each article • Discussion/Clinical Bottom Line: This section should synthesize (via comparing and contrasting) the evidence from the research articles. A final "bottom line" recommendation should be put forth, based on the combined findings. • References General Guidelines • Do not exceed 6-8 pages, excluding the title page and references. • Limit the peer-reviewed journal research articles to 3-5. • Be sure to follow current APA formatting and scholarly writing guidelines. • Please include your research articles with your assignment submission.