What are the important markers to look for when critiquing a quantitative study?

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Question 1

Critiquing can be defined as:

a) An important method of criticising the decisions made by the researcher.

b) Comparing one study with another.

c) Taking a balanced view of both the strengths and limitations of a study in order to evaluate the extent to which it provides a sound basis for decision-making.

d) Ensuring that we find the mistakes the researcher made in carrying out their research.

Question 2

What is 'empirical evidence'?

a) A numeric approach to research.

b) Data gathered in the real world through the senses.

c) Data gathered using reliable methods of data collection.

d) Data measured in metric units.

Question 3

Which of the following describes the way in which the researcher attempts to convince us that they have carried out their study to a high standard?

a) Bias

b) Validity

c) Rigour

d) Reliability

Question 4

Why is a checklist of questions useful in critiquing research papers?

a) To ensure there are no missing pages.

b) To ensure all the elements of the study are in the right place.

c) To gain an overall picture of the article.

d) To enable us to critique articles systematically and efficiently.

Question 5

According to Greenhalgh (2006), reading which section of a study first will help us decide if it is worth reading at all?

a) The introduction.

b) The methods section.

c) The results section.

d) The conclusion.

Question 6

You may find it useful to apply a different critiquing framework to qualitative research from that used for quantitative research for which of the following reasons?

a) It provides variety when critiquing research articles, especially in assignments.

b) It develops your skill in critiquing different types of research.

c) Qualitative research is so different from quantitative research that it is difficult to apply the same criteria for judging the quality of each type of study.

d) It illustrates your ability to use more than one framework.

Question 7

If you are asked to choose an article to critique for an assignment, which of the following would be a good choice?

a) One full of mistakes.

b) One that has both strengths and possible weaknesses.

c) One that looks perfectly conducted.

d) One that will impress the marker or tutor.

Question 8

When asked to choose an article to critique, which of the following would be a good source to find a suitable article?

a) Refereed journal for a peer reviewed article

b) Journals markers or tutors are unlikely to have read.

c) Journals that have been published some time ago.

d) Journals that contain research articles.

Question 9

If the aim of a study is to 'explore' a topic, which of the following does this word indicate it is likely to be?

a) A review of the literature.

b) A randomised control trial.

c) A survey.

d) A qualitative study.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a 'Likert' scale?

a) A method of judging the accuracy of the tool of data collection.

b) A number of statements to which the respondent chooses an answer from alternatives ranging from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'.

c) A measure used to weigh human tissue in randomized control trials.

d) Something like a scale but not quite as accurate.

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