Elements influencing the believability of the research

Title

ØIs the title clear, accurate, and unambiguous

Abstract

ØDoes the abstract offer a clear overview of the study include the research problem sample, methodology, finding and recommendations?

Elements influencing the robustness of the research

Phenomenon of interest

ØWhat is the phenomenon of interest, and is it clearly stated?

ØWhat is the justification for using a qualitative method?

ØWhat are the philosophic underpinnings of the research method?

Purpose/ Significance of Study

ØWhat is the purpose of the study?

ØWhat is the possible significance of the work to nursing?

Review of Literature

ØHas a literature review been undertaken?

ØDoes it meet the philosophical underpinnings of the study?

ØDoes the review of the literature fulfill its objectives?

ØWere a majority of the sources from primary methods?

Method

ØIs the method used to collect data compatible with the purpose of the research?

ØIs the method adequate to address the phenomenon of interest?

ØWas there a particular approach that was used to guide the research? If so, does the researcher complete the study according to the process described?

Sample

ØIs the sampling method and sample size identified?

ØWas it convenience or purposive sampling?

ØIs the sampling method appropriate?

ØAre the participants who were chosen appropriate to inform the research?

ØWere the demographics of the participants described?

Ethical Considerations

ØWere the participants fully informed about the nature of the research?

ØWas the anonymous/ confidentiality of the participants guaranteed?

ØWere the participants protected from harm?

ØWas ethical permission granted for the study?

Data collection

ØAre data focused on human experience?

ØDoes the researcher describe data collection strategies (e.g., interview, observation, field notes)?

ØIs protection of participants addressed?

ØIs saturation of the data described?

Data analysis

ØWhat strategy (ies) are used to analyze data?

ØAre steps described for data analysis followed?

ØIf there was a research team, was the data analysis initially conducted independently?

ØWere outside experts consulted in the data analysis process?

ØWere participants consulted on the interpretation of the data?

ØDoes the researcher discuss how rigor was assured?

ØCredibility

ØDo the participants recognize the experience as their own?

ØHas adequate time been allowed to understand the phenomenon fully?

ØAuditability

ØCan the reader follow the researcher’s reasoning?

ØDoes the researcher document the research process?

ØFittingness of the data

ØAre the findings applicable outside of the study situation?

ØAre the results meaningful to individuals not involved in the research?

ØIs the strategy used for the analysis compatible with the purpose of the study?

Findings

ØAre the findings presented within a context?

ØIs the reader able to comprehend the “essence of the experience” from the report?

ØAre the researcher’s conceptualizations (themes) true to the data?

ØDoes the researcher place the report in the context of what is already known?

ØWas the existing literature on the topic related to the findings?

Conclusions, implications, and recommendations

ØDo the conclusions, implications, and recommendations give a context to use the findings?

ØDo the conclusions reflect the study findings?

ØWhat are the recommendations for future study?

ØDo they reflect the findings?

ØHow has the researcher made explicit the significance to nursing theory, research, or practice?

References

ØWere all the books, journals, and other media alluded to in the study accurately references?

These final two sections should not have headings of their own, but the information should be input into your critique in the introduction or the conclusion of your paper.

Writing style

ØIs the article well-written, concise, grammatically correct, avoid use of jargon?

ØIs it well laid out and organized?

Logical consistency

ØDoes the research report follow the steps of the research process in a logical manner?

ØDo these steps naturally flow and are the links clear.