Critical Appraisal of Health Research Articles

The assignment focuses on critically appraising two different research articles: a randomized controlled trial examining yoga's impact on nurses' sleep quality and work stress, and a qualitative study exploring women's experiences of living with inflammatory bowel disease. The evaluation considers the appropriateness of methods used in each article, addressing strengths and limitations while emphasizing the validity and relevance of their findings for nursing practice and local communities.

Critical Appraisal of articles

TABLE OF CONTENTS
introduction....................................................................................................................................1
CASP tool for critical appraisal.......................................................................................................1
Article 1: randomised controlled trial..............................................................................................1
Article 2: qualitative Study..............................................................................................................5
conclusion......................................................................................................................................10
references.......................................................................................................................................10

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: CASP tool for randomized controlled trial........................................................................2
Table 2: CASP tool for Qualitative study........................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Critical appraisal can be defined as a systematic process which is generally used to
identify strengths and weaknesses of a research article in order to assess the usefulness and
validity of research findings (Courtney and McCutcheonm, 2010). This tool helps in completing
critical analysis of the different types of evidence such as systematic review, Randomized
Controlled Trials (RCTs), Qualitative Research, Economic Evaluation Studies, Cohort Studies,
Case Control Studies and Diagnostic Test Studies (Catherine, Nicholas and Jennie, 2007). The
current study will critically apprise two different articles and their findings. Regarding this, it
will use Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Present study focuses on two different
articles and these articles are based on qualitative and quantitative research design. So, as per the
CASP tool, current research will use different criteria for accomplishing critical appraisal of both
articles.
CASP TOOL FOR CRITICAL APPRAISAL
As per the CASP tool there are three basic issues which need to be considered at the time
of conducting critical appraisal of the different articles (Hopp and Rittenmeyer, 2012). These
issues are as follows:
1. Is the study valid?
2. What are the results?
3. Will the result help locally?
Therefore, critical appraisal of selected articles will assess the internal validity, results
and relevance to practice. This tool includes 10-12 questions for analysing results and findings of
the different studies. There is no specific condition behind the use of CASP tool (Critical
Appraisal Skills Programme, 2016). As per the pilot test, feedbacks and reviews CASP tools are
suitable for a wide target audience in service administration and health care delivery. The current
research study has selected two different articles for completing whole critical appraisal (CASP
CHECKLISTS, 2016). In which cone articles is randomised controlled trial and another is a
qualitative study. Application of CASP tool is beneficial for checking the validity of findings of
the research articles (APPRAISING THE EVIDENCE, 2016). Critical appraisal of both articles is
described as under:
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ARTICLE 1: RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Title: “A regular yoga intervention for staff nurse sleep quality and work stress: a randomised
controlled trial”.
Table 1: CASP tool for randomized controlled trial
Screening Question Answer Justification
1. Did the trial address a
clearly focused issue? (CASP
Checklists. 2016).
Yes Disturbances in the circadian
rhythm interrupt an
individual's pattern of sleep
was the major issue which was
addressed by this trial.
Therefore, study was based on
population of staff nurses
employed by a general
hospital in China.
Along with this, study has
provided appropriate
information about comparator
such as study has compared
sleep quality and work stress
between a yoga group and a
non-yoga group.
2. Was the assignment of
patients to treatments
randomized?
Yes As per the given information
about methods One hundred
and twenty nurses were
randomised into two groups: a
yoga group and a non-yoga
group.
3. Were patients, health
workers and study personnel
blinded?
No Patients, health workers and
study personnel were not
blinded.
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They faced issues regarding
high work pressure and sleep
disturbance.
4. Were the groups similar at
the start of the trial?
Yes There are some factors which
may affect the outcomes such
as age, social class and sex.
These factors are known as
baseline characteristics. This
study has used two different
groups of same social class
which was nurses.
5. Aside from the
experimental intervention,
were the groups treated
equally?
Yes Researcher has provided equal
treatment to both groups at the
time of conducting the current
investigation.
6. Were all of the patients who
entered the trial properly
accounted for at its
conclusion?
Yes This trial has stopped after six
months which was estimated
and patients were analysed in
Yoga and Non-yoga Group to
which they were randomised.
7. How large was the
treatment effect?
As per the trial treatment
(yoga) can improve sleep
quality and reduce work stress
in staff nurses employed by a
general hospital.
Quality sleep and work stress
of nurses were measured.
Primary outcomes are clearly
specified.
Research has not provided
information about the results
were found for each outcome.
8. How precise was the
estimate of the treatment
effect?
The estimate of the treatment
effect was accurate because
there are no difference
between estimated and actual
For this trial researcher has
used regression model which
is one of the important
statistical tool for getting
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outcomes of the trial. impact of one variable to
another. Study has used the
appropriate confidence limits
for regression analysis but
abstract has not included
information about the same.
9. Can the results be applied in
your context? (Or to the local
population?)
Yes Result can be applied in the
local context. Because level of
stress and quality of sleep of
local nurses are equal to the
staff nurses employed by a
general hospital in China. So,
results can also be applied on
context of nurses of local
population.
10. Were all clinically
important outcomes
considered?
Yes Randomised controlled trial
has provided necessary
information about the different
factors that contributed to
subjective sleep disturbance.
Along with this, need for this
trial has clearly described.
11. Are the benefits worth the
harms and costs?
Yes Benefits of the yoga worth the
harms and costs.
Critical appraisal of this articles has reflected that, author has focused on an appropriate
issues which have helped in determining appropriate research problem. Comparing sleep quality
and work stress between a yoga group and a non-yoga group is the major aim of this randomized
controlled trial. For the current investigation author has used a randomized methods which have
helped in recruiting appropriate participants from staff nurses employed by hospitals of China.
These participants were belonged to two different groups Yoga and Non yoga groups (Fang and
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Li, 2015). As per the findings of the research non yoga group has not used yoga for last five or
six month. So, author has compares their sleep quality and level of work stress with that group
which have used yoga exercise for regular basis from last six months. Author has used the linear
regression for determining dependency of sleep quality and work stress on regular yoga
intervention. Along with this, study has also provided appropriate information about the different
other outcomes such as different factors which can influence work stress and sleep disorder.
Critical appraisal has also disclosed that research used primary evidence for resolving research
issue. But, in abstract research has not provided information about the results were found for
each outcome. Along with this, linear regression model has been used by researcher which has
reflected that the whole articles is statistical significant (Fang and Li, 2015). Finally, findings of
the current study has concluded that regular yoga intervention play important role in improving
work quality and reducing the level of work stress. In addition, critical appraisal has also
assessed that result can also be applied in the local context of local population of staff nurses
employed by different hospitals of other countries. Therefore, findings of the study is very worth
full for further clinical practices. Consequently, research has found that the whole study has
conducted in appropriate manner and used suitable tools, techniques, methods and design for
addressing research issue and getting appropriate answer (Fang and Li, 2015).
ARTICLE 2: QUALITATIVE STUDY
Title: “Balancing my disease: women's perspectives of living with inflammatory bowel disease”.
Table 2: CASP tool for Qualitative study
Screening Question Answer Justification
1. Was there a clear statement
of the aims of the research?
Yes Yes, study has stated a clear
statement of the aims of the
research.
As per that statement purpose
of this research was to
examine the lived experiences
of women with inflammatory
bowel disease, by specifically
exploring their management of
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their illness after diagnosis.
2. Is a qualitative
methodology appropriate?
Yes Author has applied
questionnaire and interview
methods for completing whole
study. These methods are
appropriate for completing
theoretical study.
3. Was the research design
appropriate to address the
aims of the research?
Yes Heuristic phenomenology was
the theoretical orientation used
for this article. It is
appropriate design to address
the aim of the research.
4. Was the recruitment
strategy appropriate to the
aims of the research?
No Study has not included
information about the
recruitment strategy.
But, still it has provided all
information about research
participants. Such as:
Study has recruited eight
women with IBD (32-50 years
old) from support groups in
Southern Ontario.
Study has also described
inclusion and exclusion
criteria for recruiting
participants.
5. Was the data collected in a
way that addressed the
research issue?
Yes, data was collected in a
way that addressed the
research issue.
This qualitative study has sued
interview and questionnaire
for collecting facts and
figures.
Questionnaire method helped
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in collecting and recording all
information. Similarly, author
has used the audio recording
system and transcribed
verbatim to record all
evidence of semi structured
interview.
6. Has the relationship
between researcher and
participants been adequately
considered?
Yes, the relationship between
researcher and participants has
been adequately considered in
this study.
Study has reflected that
researcher played their own
role in effective manner.
Along with this, findings of
the research has completely
free from potential bias and
other influence. During
formulation of formulation of
the research questions, data
collection and including
sample recruitment and choice
of location.
7. Have ethical issues been
taken into consideration?
Yes All ethical issues have been
taken into consideration by
researcher at the time of
conducting whole
investigation.
Author has been maintained
ethical standards at the time of
collecting facts and figures.
Researcher has used
appropriate and ethical
methods for recruiting
participants and collecting
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facts and figures.
8. Was the data analysis
sufficiently rigorous?
Yes Study has provided an in-
depth description of the data
analysis process.
It has used thematic analysing
for analysing primary data.
In this data analysis process
three silent themes emerged;
1. Balancing my diseases; 2.
Finances and 3. Responses to
adversity, etc.
Along with this, collected data
of the research has presented
in appropriate manner which
support the findings of the
research in appropriate way.
In addition, for appropriate
data analysis researcher has
critically examined their own
role, potential bias and
influence during analysis and
selection of data for
presentation.
9. Is there a clear statement of
findings?
Yes Yes researcher has clearly
stated that “To achieve
balance, the women described
changing dietary behaviours,
adjusting daily routines and
managing symptoms through
medications. These
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modifications were described
as being important in
controlling inflammatory
bowel disease
symptomatology on a day-to-
day basis”.
10. How valuable is the
research?
Findings of the current
investigation is very valuable.
It is valuable because findings
of this paper contributes to the
wider global clinical
community.
It can help in providing
appropriate education to
healthcare practitioners about
inflammatory bowel diseases.
Along with this, after
completing this investigation,
health care worker can provide
appropriate treatment option
to their patients. Overall, this
articles is valuable for both
patients and health care
professionals (CASP
Checklists, 2016).
Critical appraisal of the above discussed article has reflected that author has discussed
research issues, design and methods and findings in appropriate manner. As per the statement
and title of the study major aim of the whole investigation was to examine the lived experiences
of women with inflammatory bowel disease, by specifically exploring their management of their
illness after diagnosis (Sykes, Fletcher and Schneider, 2015). For examining research issue in
appropriate manner author has used appropriate methodology and tools which have helped in
completing qualitative investigation in appropriate manner. Author has used interview and
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questionnaire survey for collecting primary data from all patients of IBD. But, major limitation
of the current investigation was that it has not provided appropriate information about the
recruitment strategy by which author has selected all participants for collecting appropriate facts
and figures. But, still there are some specific inclusion and exclusion criteria which have used by
author for including and excluding specific participants (Sykes, Fletcher and Schneider, 2015).
In addition, data collection method was appropriate for addressing the research issue because it
has helped in getting actual information about the situation which have faced by all IBD patients.
Including this, author has assured about the appropriate consideration of all ethical issues as well
as maintained adequate relationship between all participants and researcher. The whole study
was free from any personal biases and influence from others. Along with this, findings of the
current investigation is appropriate stated which can be applied for clinical trial also. Overall,
critical appraisal tool has reflected that author has used appropriate methods for getting valid
findings which are valuable for local community (Sykes, Fletcher and Schneider, 2015).
CONCLUSION
The current research project has concluded that CASP tool is one of the appropriate tool
for conducting critical appraisal of different research articles of health and social care. But, there
are different checklists for each and every type of study so, author needs to choose appropriate
checklists for completing whole investigation. As per the above discussion both articles have
used appropriate methods and tools for addressing research issues and getting valid and
appropriate findings. But, randomised controlled articles have provided clear and accurate
information about all method and designs which have applied by author. But, on the other hand
qualitative study has not provided information about the recruitment study. But, validity of the
results of both articles are high because these findings have clearly resolved research issues as
well as valuable for local community and future clinical practices.
REFERENCES
Books and journals
Fang, R. and Li, X., 2015. A regular yoga intervention for staff nurse sleep quality and work
stress: a randomised controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 24. Pp.3374-3379
Sykes, D. N., Fletcher, P. C. and Schneider, M. A., 2015. Balancing my disease: women's
perspectives of living with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 24.
Pp.2133-2142.
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Courtney, M. and McCutcheonm H., 2010. Using Evidence to Guide Nursing Practice. 2nd ed.
Elsevier Health Sciences
Catherine, P., Nicholas, M. and Jennie, P., 2007. Synthesising Qualitative And Quantitative
Health Evidence: A Guide To Methods: A Guide to Methods. McGraw-Hill Education.
Hopp, L., and Rittenmeyer, L., 2012. Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice: A Practical Guide
For Nursing. F.A. Davis
Online
CASP Checklists. 2016. [Online]. Available through: < http://www.casp-uk.net/#!checklists/cb36
>. [Accessed on 28th March 2016].
Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. 2016. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.casp-
uk.net/>. [Accessed on 28th March 2016].
CASP CHECKLISTS. 2016. [Online]. Available through: < http://www.casp-uk.net/#!casp-
tools-checklists/c18f8>. [Accessed on 28th March 2016].
APPRAISING THE EVIDENCE. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.casp-uk.net/#!appraising-the-evidence/c23r5>. [Accessed on 28th March
2016].
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