Critical Appraisal on Research Articles in Healthcare

This article provides a critical appraisal of two research articles in the field of public health. The first article is on gambling and homelessness, while the second article is on Aboriginal families in South Australia. The article uses CASP and STARD critical appraisal tools to analyze the qualitative and quantitative research respectively.

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Critical appraisal on research articles
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Introduction
Generally, the aspect of research appraisal plays a key role in research work. Basically, a critical
appraisal helps in identifying the weaknesses, strengths and understanding the entire content of
the research (Bannon,McGaughey,Clarke,McAuley & Blackwood 2016, p.90).The content
revealed in the paper shows a critical appraisal for two articles. All the two articles help in
analyzing the research carried out in the field of public health. The first article is Guilcher et al.
(2016) which describes research on gambling and homelessness which have become a huge
problem in public health. The second article is the Weetra et al. (2016) which shows research on
Aboriginal families that investigated experiences of mothers having Aboriginal babies in South
Australia.
Tool selection
In order to analyze the two articles, the discussion has utilized the CASP and STARD critical
appraisal tool (Cope 2014, p.86). The CASP tool analyses the qualitative research while the
STARD tool handles the quantitative research. CASP tool has been selected because it aims to
help individuals to develop adequate skills that will assist in building the research evidence. On
another hand the STARD tool has been selected because it will assist in improving the
transparency of the research. The tool contains different items that can be used as checklist by
readers to ensure all the research related problems have adequate information. When analyzing
the quantitative research there are various appraisal tools which must be used. The critical
appraisal tool used in quantitative research are; meta-analysis, systematic review, the randomized
control trial commonly known as (RCT), the cohort study, case-control study, the longitudinal
study and lastly the quasi-experimental study procedure (Crowe,Sheppard & Campbell
2012,p.54).Health On another hand, the critical appraisal tool for the qualitative research will
analyze parts such as ; the semi-structured interview, observational study analysis, documental
analysis, the narrative analysis, understanding the focus groups and unstructured interview
(Grove,Burns & Gray 2012, p.51).
Critical appraisal of the qualitative article
(a). Critical appraisal for the case study using the CASP tool.

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The critical appraisal uses the Critical Appraisal Skills Programmes tool which is commonly
known as the (CASP).Guilcher et al. (2016) indicates qualitative research on the problem of
gambling and homelessness which have been identified as an important public health concern.
The research used is the case study design which includes events that have been studied in
different methods. The article reveals how the impacts of gambling and homelessness have
impacted families and the entire society (Heyvaert, Hannes,Maes & Onghena 2013,p.84).The
research aimed in analyzing the experiences in health and social spheres. The problem of
gambling and homelessness is a public domain especially to men in Toronto, Ontario. In order to
analyze the research topic, then critical appraisal tools on qualitative research were used. The
tools used assisted in revealing the major objectives, analyzing the methodological steps used,
discussing the results obtained and summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of the research.
(b).Appraising the article using the CASP tool.
The following questions and procedures show the summarized CASP tool that is used to analyze
the article. The CASP tool helps in analyzing the relevance of the research and analyze the
strengths and weaknesses associated with the research. All the questions have been answered to
give clear guidance thus helping in understanding the entire article (Hoare & Hoe 2013,
p.21).The CASP tool helps in appraising the article by following the questions mentioned at
every paragraph.
1. Is the aim of the study stated?
Guilcher et al. (2016) starts by indicating the research objective and the aim. The research starts
by accepting the fact that gambling and homelessness are major issues that have affected
families, communities and society at large (Hoe & Hoare 2012,p.43).The aim of the research is
to analyze how the problem of gambling and housing problems have affected the men in
Toronto, Ontario. Generally, the issue of gambling has been identified as a common leisure
activity for many people. There are individuals who are more vulnerable to gambling behavior.
When someone incurs no gain in gambling activities there are significant problems such as
family problems, educational or employment crisis as well as financial hardships and sometimes
housing inabilities or homelessness. Men in Toronto are believed to have associated themselves

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in gambling activities thus more vulnerable to experiencing the negative characteristics
mentioned in the article (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber 2014, p.90).
2. Is the rationale of study properly used in the qualitative research?
In order to analyze the rationale of the study, it's good to discuss the key strengths used in the
study. By using the CASP tool the research appreciates the problem of gambling and investigates
the major issue inappropriate manner. There is recognition of the gambling problem in society
and that's why the participants tried to use the research in order to come up with an apt solution.
3. Was the method of data collection appropriate?
The method of data collection was not appropriate. This is because the research only interviewed
30 participants who were all men (LoBiondo-Wood,Haber,Berry & Yost 2013,p.75).The aim of
the research was to get the reason on why the issue of gambling and housing inability has
become an issue in health care but the researchers failed on the method of data collection. The
data revealed gave results which describe the effects experienced by a small number but not the
entire population. Interviewing 30 participants is a small number and the results can't be
compared with a big population of men in Toronto.
4. Does the study indicate the information on the results obtained?
All the information regarding to the results has been clearly indicated in the research. The
procedure indicates the strengths of the research (Lockwood,Munn & Porritt 2015, p.21).The
research tried to explore the health and social services that were believed to have a long history
in gambling and housing inabilities in Toronto. All the results and findings have been analyzed
and a systematic recommendation process has been analyzed in the article. The results tend to
highlight the importance of the person-centered engagement which included compassion,
empathy, and empowerment for men. All the characteristics obtained in the person-centered
engagement builds the healthcare concern for those individuals with complex in health and social
needs.
5. Is the recording of the data retrievable?

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Use of data coding and analysis processes indicates how the data was clearly handled in the
research. The information obtained in the research was recorded for future use.There is also a
focused code whereby each team recorded different details. The coding activities were to ensure
all themes on the paper are correctly handled and interpreted (Newton,
Rothlingova,Gutteridge,LeMarchand & Raphael 2012, p.56).
6. What are the methods of data analysis and are they appropriate?
The paper shows that the how the research on gambling and homelessness aspects faced the men
in Toronto. The paper is a series of the problem in gambling and hosing inabilities in societies.
There was semi-structured research which included qualitative interviews with the men who
were highly addicted to gambling activities as well as the problems of housing instability. In
order to handle the interviews, men used in the research were to fill the descriptive
questionnaires that included different virtues such as the collection on data regarding the socio-
demographic factors, the mental health research results, and information regarding to the
gambling activities. The research also had a collaborative approach whereby there was Good
Shepherd Ministry of Toronto which assisted in the overall research study thus helping in data
analysis and dissemination process (Sandelowski 2015,p.56).There were also the peer interviews
which assisted in conducting qualitative interviews thus giving adequate data needed in the data
analysis approach.
Assessment for the qualitative research (case study).
The criteria Yes No Other
1. Is the aim of the study stated?
Yes
2. Is the rationale of study properly used in the qualitative
research?
No
3. Was the method of data collection appropriate? Yes
4. Does the study indicate the information on the results
obtained?
Yes

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5. Is the recording of the data retrievable? Yes
What are the methods of data analysis and are they
appropriate?
No
Link used for tool
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/51086785.pdf
Critical appraisal of the quantitative article
(a).Critical appraisal for survey research
The research described by the authors is the survey research. In order to appraise for the research
a STARD tool has been used. The STARD statements were introduced to improve the transparency
and completeness of the research. The research has revealed the key aspects which can be explained by
using the STARD appraisal critical tool. In order to appraise the research the following chronological
procedures have been identified.
(b).Critical appraisal using the STARD tool
Item 1. Studying objectives of the research.
Weetra et al. (2016) show how quantitative research on the population-based study was
conducted. The study involved a survey for Aboriginal Families which targeted to study the
Aboriginal baby in in South Australia. The disparities arising from the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait have raised a major issue in Australia (Singh 2013, p.43). The Aboriginal Australians are
associated with mental problems, have high rates of suicide and also prone to chronic disease.
The research was to analyze the stressful events and health issues which faced the women when
pregnant.
Item 2. Whether the data collection was planned and reference standards were performed.

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The data of participants who gave response on the research questions were reviewed. Through
the STARD tool then it shows that data was clearly planned and the references met the necessary
standards.
Item 3.The eligibility criteria
The participant’s eligibility included the use of Aboriginal who was facing huge stress than the
non-Aboriginal women in South Australia. From the background section, one can easily identify
the aim of the article. The objective of the research was to determine the frequency and the
stressful events experienced by Aboriginal mothers when pregnant (Tariq & Woodman 2013,
p.87).Through objective study then one identifies the research eligibility.
Item 4.On what basis were the potentially eligible participants identified.
The data revealed that more than 75% of the Aboriginal mothers faced a lot of stress compared
with the non-Aboriginal population in the area. The criteria show those participants who were
used but the study fails in describing how the authors identified the participants.
Item 5. The rationale for using a reference standard body in the research.
Generally in healthcare research a reference standard is always used .The standard helps in
developing a target condition for the participants in the research. The research uses the
Australian Study Board that acted as the reference standards. The consultation process revealed
the women emotions and their social concerns on what was happening to them during pregnancy
(Tondeur,Van,Sang,Voogt, Fisser & Ottenbreit-Leftwich 2012,p.76). Most of the women used in
the study were recruited via the maternity centers, around the Aboriginal community controlled
centers and also from the community events and community organizations. All the women who
were interested to participate were to fill structured interviews that indicated the age for the baby
Item 6.How the missing data in the reference standards was handled.
Basically, missing data is common in most of the research worker. There are different ways in
which missing data can be handled. Different author’s uses different methods for handling
missing data in research work. Some of the researchers will tend to exclude the participants who
did not indicate any observed virtues depending on the research topic.Out of the 418 women

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used in the study only 348 women who gave complete reports and information on healthcare
issues with their distress (Tong,Flemming,McInnes,Oliver & Craig 2017,p.45).The number
which was interviewed gave different information regarding the topic of the research. The
characteristics of the women who were satisfied with the stressful experience were recorded in
the tables as indicated in the research article. Also, the frequency of the stressful events was also
identified and social health results recorded as indicated in the research article. All the results
were grouped depending on the number of women experiencing stressful events and health
issues during pregnancy.
Item 7. Analysing the ethics of the research.
The article reveals the ethical weaknesses which were experienced throughout the study. The
committee used was not approved by the research authorities on health care issues. Although
there was consent for the participants used, the issue of ethical aspects was not keenly met. Also,
there is an increasingly high rate of social health problems in the areas indicated a failure in
addressing ethical practices. There were no interviews on why the Aboriginal was facing the
huge stress than the non-Aboriginal women in South Australia (Tong,Flemming, McInnes,Oliver
& Craig 2012,p.54).
The STARD assessment tool for the research (survey research).
Appraisal questions Yes Other
(N/A)
No
Item 1. Were the objectives of the research mentioned? Yes
Item 2. Was data collection planned and reference standards
performed.
N/A
Item 3. Was the eligibility criteria for the study indicated. Yes
Item 4.On what basis were the potentially eligible participants
identified.
N/A

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Item 5. Is there rationale for using a reference standard body in
the research?
Yes
Item 6.Is there criteria used for handling the missing data? No
Item 7.Was there a procedure used for analyzing the ethics of the
research?
N/A
Link for the quantitative research critical appraisal tool
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/11/e012799
Ethical issues
The two articles have indicated different ethical practices that are necessary for social
development. Weetra et al. (2016) show the recommendations on how to check on the social
health problems affecting the Aboriginal families. Eliminating the approaches which cause
personal distress serves as the key pathway for caring to pregnant mothers. The research
highlights on the need for using high-quality clinical care aspects in public health thus inducing
antenatal care that will help in modifying risks associated with poor maternal processes (Tong et
al. 2017, p.145).Also, the article has revealed on the need to pay more attention to the problems
facing society such as family abuse and other social disadvantages which should be avoided
within society. All the communities should care for other people regardless of any deviations.
There also need to induce the implementation programs that will work to control the problems
experienced by the maternal women in society.
On another hand, Guiltier et al. (2016) have also given recommendations on the issue of
gambling and homelessness. The article indicates the key recommendation that is useful for
society. Some of the recommendation given in the research was;
There was a need to create awareness on the effects of gambling in society. Awareness is the key
aspect that will reduce gambling and housing inability challenges experienced by men in
Toronto. Also, there is a need to increase the availability of any type of integrated services in the

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society. It is good to raise the integrated services to people addicted to gambling and those who
lack homes (Zitomer & Goodwin 2014,p.65).The findings emphasizes integrated approaches
thus helping to solve multiple complex social and health challenges experienced by men. In
addition, it is good to provide a stepped care approach in the community. Through the
communication training processes, the society will be in a position to identify the negative
impacts resulting from the gambling activities. Training individuals will help in reducing
personal stigma and also self-judgment which may result during their interactions with their
providers as described in the article. Also communicating on the appropriate corrective measures
will be good in controlling the negative impacts resulting from the gambling activities by the
men. All the men interviewed shows there is a need to educate the society on the diverse effects
of gambling and housing inability in the society.
Summary of the appraised papers
From the two articles, one can identify a number of strengths and weaknesses. Some of the
strengths identified in the articles include the use of appropriate data collection measures. The
two articles used appropriate data collection strategies that helped in analyzing the major topic of
the research (Zitomer & Goodwin 2014, p.165).All the results and discussion were done
accordingly. The representation of data in tables and the use of correct calculation techniques
show the correct representation of research work.
On accounting for the weaknesses there were a number of issues which revealed the failure of
the two articles. The findings obtained do not indicate the necessary generalization of the results
in the research. The research mostly targeted the culprit but not the other part of the population.
The qualitative article was concerned on the section of the population and that's why a small
number of participants were interviewed. The study has not indicated the decisions from the
women and this shows a limitation on the study (Flemming,Graham,Heirs,Fox & Sowden
2013,p.75).The research article also shows the research was done on men leaving in greatest
areas of Toronto. The research has failed in extending the same work to different geographical
areas but it has only concentrated on the urban centers. The work was not extended to other sites
for comparison thus revealing a weakness in the research. In qualitative research, women gave
different responses. Most of the women responded positively and that's why a large number of
results indicated positive themes. This was contrary to the research topic since there was no

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adequate data for research (Shelton,Smith & Mort 2014,p.21).Also, the research failed to use the
sampling technique to get the simplified data on the research topic. The non-Aboriginal women
were not ready to share any information and that's why there was no much guidance on
designing apt results. Those old women could not give information appropriately thus indicating
research weakness.

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Appendix
Critical appraisal for the research