Table: The process of critical appraisal of a journal article

Manuscript Description of the Evaluation points

section manuscript component
Title of the A good title should be concise, • Does the title clearly indicate what the research is
article accurate, and informative about, without being extremely long or too short to
be informative?
• Are the variables or theoretical issues stated and
any relationships between them?
Author(s) Author(s) is/are someone who • What is/are the author(s)’ professional and
originates the ideas, conducts academic qualifications?
the research, and contribute • Have they published previously on a similar topic?
intellectually to the content of
the written work.
Abstract The abstract should begin with • Does it explain the purpose of the paper?
a brief but precise statement of • Does it explain why the research was carried out?
the problem or issue, followed • What was accomplished?
by a description of the research • What were the main findings?
method and design, the major • What is the significance of the research?
findings, and the conclusions • What conclusions were reached?
reached.
Introduction The introduction should • Is the research question/problem researchable?
orientate the reader to the • Is the problem important enough to justify the
study by giving a background of research?
the study, problem statement, • Is the background of the research relevant to the
purpose, and rationale of the research question?
research.
Literature It provides an overview of • Is the literature review broad, yet focused on the
review current knowledge, allowing issue?
you to identify relevant • Is there historical as well as contemporary material
theories, methods, and gaps in to put the area of study into a context?
the existing research. • Is there convincing evidence to support assertions?
• Does it fairly represent opposing views?
• Does the literature review use a theoretical
framework?
• Does it reveal gaps in the knowledge which this
research will fill?
Aim The aim must be clearly stated, • Do you have a clear idea of what the study tried to
focused on one main idea, and achieve?
should convey the main
purpose of the study.
Research This section explains readers • Is there a clear rationale for the chosen research
methodology about the type of research, approach, methods and/or instruments used?
rationale for choosing the • Is the research method appropriate for the research
research type, sample question?
population, reliability and • Was the collection of data appropriate for the
validity of the research, and research question?
ethics clearance. • Is there enough information concerning the
participants?
• What were the ethical considerations for the
research and the participants?
• Were the methods and/or instruments described in
enough detail?
• Were any ambiguous terms used?
• Is the method deemed reliable and valid?
• Are any limitations of the study discussed?
Data analysis Data analysis summarizes data • Were the steps involved in the data analysis
collection method, explained and the strategies justified?
software/methods using • Was the data analysis rigorous enough to
analytical and logical reasoning substantiate the claims?
to determine patterns, • Were all data considered? If not, why not?
relationships, or trends. • Are the presented results relevant to the research
question?
• Do the tables and graphs (if any) make the data
analysis clearer?
Discussion The discussion should contain a • Have the results been interpreted in relation to the
clear statement of support or research question and aims?
otherwise of the original • Have the results been discussed with reference to
hypothesis or research the research question, hypothesis (if applicable) and
question. The results of this theoretical or conceptual frameworks?
study and those of other • Have conclusions and/or recommendations been
studies should be discussed, appropriately drawn from the data analysis?
and any suggestions for • Did the researcher highlight the most important
improvements or further results?
research are made here. • Have the results been used to support or refute the
results of other studies?
• How relevant and useful are the results to practice?
Conclusion This section should summarise • Were the main points drawn out?
the main points and indicate • Were fresh insights or a new perspective on the
the usefulness of the research. topic demonstrated?
It should not include any new • Have any recommendations been made based on
information. Areas for future the research?
research may be suggested. • Were there any suggestions for future research?
Reference list or This should contain a list of all • Are all sources cited clearly and with full
Bibliography sources referred to in the bibliographic details provided?
article. • Has a wide range of works in the field been referred
to?
• Does the list contain both seminal (classic) and
more contemporary literature?