Description:

Critical Appraisal

Value:

20%

Due date:

Sep 20

Length:

1500 words

Task:

For this assessment, imagine that you have been asked to assess the suitability of a manuscript being considered for publication by a journal that specialises in qualitative health research. You need to critically appraise the article and asses its quality, rigour, validity and reliability. Be sure to reference the appropriate sources that have you use to guide your appraisal.

The articles we have chosen are all qualitative studies that have been published in journals following a peer review process. All journals have specific guidelines about word length and other requirements. While almost all journals require confirmation that a study has ethical approval, they vary in terms of how much detail they require about methodology, particularly for qualitative studies. Some will be happy with a very cursory explanation of the methodology/approach, ethical issues, data collection methods, and data analysis. In prescribing these articles for critiquing, we are not suggesting that they are poor quality; rather it is an opportunity to provide a detailed critique from a qualitative researcher perspective.

Choose one of the following articles to appraise:

1. Cass A, Lowell A, Christie M, Snelling PL, Flack M, Marrnganyin B, et al. Sharing the true stories: improving communication between Aboriginal patients and healthcare workers. The Medical Journal of Australia. 2002;176(10):466-70.
2. Sinclair C, Stokes A, Jeffries-Stokes C, Daly J. Positive community responses to an arts–health program designed to tackle diabetes and kidney disease in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia: a qualitative study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 2016;40(4):307-12.
3. Knight-Agarwal CR, Williams LT, Davis D, Davey R, Shepherd R, Downing A, et al. The perspectives of obese women receiving antenatal care: A qualitative study of women’s experiences. Women and birth: Journal of the Australian College of Midwives. 2016;29(2):189-95.

Alternative option for Emergency and Disaster Management students:

Cuesta JG, van Loenhout JAF, de Lara-Banquesio ML, Isiderio JM, Aujoulat I, Guha-Sapir D. The impact of Typhoon Haiyan on health staff: a qualitative study in two hospitals in Eastern Visayas, The Philippines. Frontiers in Public Health, 2018; 6(28)

  Presentation:

Preparation:

Report

• When identifying the methodological elements of the article consider the following: Is the methodology explicitly stated? Are the methods of data collection clearly explained and are they appropriate for the methodology?
• When critically analysing the methodology consider these questions:

–           Was the sampling described/ appropriate?

–           Was the analysis described/ appropriate?

–           Did the researcher consider reflexivity?

–           Were ethical issues adequately addressed?

• When considering the overall validity and quality of the data comment on whether the conclusions are supported by the data?

Think about aspects of reliability, validity and rigour as discussed in the intensive, the readings and video provided in week 3 and also the Carter and Little article in week 1. Are the results presented supported by examples from the data? Is there a clear link between the results and the discussion? Are the conclusions reasonable?

An additional article you may wish to consult is:

Morse JM, Barrett M, Mayan M et al. Verification strategies for establishing reliability and validity in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. 2002, 1(2).

Assessment criteria:

As per the CDU grading matrix and the criteria below:

Study Notes

As with other methodologies, defining case study research and clearly differentiating it from other approaches can be challenging. The readings for this week are designed to assist with familiarising you with the nuances of this approach. The discussion topic provides an opportunity to critically appraise a case study article.

In case study research, Robert Yin is a leading figure. The book listed here is the latest edition of his very widely cited and influential guide to case study research; the recommended chapter provides a detailed overview of the steps involved in designing a case study. (The book is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in undertaking case study research). The review article by Hyett et al, takes a critical eye to the approach, by systematically identifying and analysing 34 published case studies.

Although Yin is influential within case study research, there are two main traditions within this methodology. The Boblin et al article provides an example of using the other main (earlier) approach, developed by Robert Stake. It provides a clear contrast between the two approaches and outlines how Stake’s approach was used in a study of falls prevention best practice in three acute care hospital contexts.

Finally, the Baxter and Jack article provides a detailed and easy to follow overview of the case study approach, with a really practical guide for all steps of a case study, and links to sample literature of different types of studies.

The article by Ranzijn is an example of a case study where the boundaries with some other methodologies are somewhat blurred. The paper focuses on mainstream approaches to ‘healthy’ ageing, and the experiences of Aboriginal Elders. There are elements of a phenomenological approach in terms of describing the marginalisation experienced by Aboriginal Elders when engaging with mainstream services – experiences which reproduce the exploitation and marginalisation to which Elders have been subject throughout their lives. An argument could be made that this study is not sufficiently ‘bounded’ enough to qualify as a case study. The criteria which does define this as a case study is that it is of a relatively small population, who are located in specific geographical locations. After reading this article, and the other readings for this topic, what do you think?

Readings

Required Readings:

1. Creswell (2013): Chapter 4 pp 97-102 (review), Chapter 5 pp119-121 & Appendix F pp 399-414.

Or

Creswell (2017): Chapter 4 pp 96-102 (review), Chapter 5 pp 119-121 & Appendix F  pp 407-418.

(Set Text)

2. Yin, RK (2014) Chapter 2 in: Case study research: design and methods 5^thedition. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, California.  (Book Chapter. Not available in eReadings due to copyright restrictions. Hard copy available in CDUlibrary. Please contact your lecturer  or sharon.thompson@ menzies.edu.au if you have trouble accessing this reading.)

3. Hyett N, Kenny A, Dickson-Swift V. (2014). Methodology or method? A critical review of qualitative case study reports. Int J Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 9: 23606 (Available online)http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v9.23606

Reading for tutorial discussion 6:

1. Ranzijn, R. (2010). Active ageing – another way to oppress marginalized and disadvantaged elders?: Aboriginal Elders as a case study. J Health Psychol, 15(5), 716-723. doi: 10.1177/1359105310368181

Optional Readings:

(understanding different case study approaches):

1. Merriam & Tisdell, Qualitative Case Studies, pp 37-40
2. Boblin SL, Ireland S, Kirkpatrick H, Robertson K. (2013). Using Stake’s qualitative case study approach to explore implementation of evidence-based practice. Qual Health Res, 23(9): 1267-1275
3. Baxter P and Jack S. (2008). Qualitative case study methodology: study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4): 544-559.