Worksheet for Critical Appraisal

Worksheet for Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Study1
Rationale
This assignment will assist you to be able to critically examine research rigour from qualitative literature. The skills that you will gain will assist you
when assessing the quality of qualitative evidence for your future practice as a health professional. These skills will also help you if you wish to
pursue a research degree or research career.
Task
You need to do the following:
1. Find one peer-reviewed qualitative journal article on a topic of your choice. It might be useful to find an article on the topic you're
considering for your Assessment 3 Research Proposal, but this is not a requirement. Library databases are the best way to find peer-
reviewed journal articles. You are encouraged to use library databases rather than Internet search engines to avoid selecting an article
from a non-reputable source.
2. You will complete the Worksheet for Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Study below. In order to do this, you are required to read the entire
paper in detail – reading the abstract is NOT sufficient!
3. You will need to submit the pdf file of the article via the link provided in the vUWS site. Your assignment will not be accepted as fully
submitted until the pdf file of the article is submitted as well – a 10% per day late penalty will be applied, and if the pdf if not submitted
within 10 days, the assignment will not be marked.
Please note that comments and explanations included in the table below should be substantiated with examples from the article itself and
arguments supported from quality sources. You’re expected to use at least 3 references beyond the article you are reviewing.
Word count only includes the analysis provided inside the table below and is expected to be a minimum of 1000 words.
1 Developed based on and adapted from: The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools for use in JBI Systematic Reviews - Checklist for Qualitative Research;
Critical Appraisal of a Qualitative Study; and The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine – Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Studies

Citation:
Stephen, C. M., Hermiz, O. S., Halcomb, E. J., McInnes, S., & Zwar, N. (2018). Feasibility and acceptability of a nurse-led hypertension
management intervention in general practice. Collegian, 25(1), 33-38.
Confirm this is an empirical/data-based study using qualitative methods by pasting below a statement from the article
(appropriately cited) that attests to this:
Qualitative evaluation of the interventions’ feasibility and acceptability was achieved through semi-structured interviews with 6 GPs, 7 GPNs
and 12 consumers
State the research question posed by the authors:
The research questions posed by the authors of this article are:-
1. What is the exact role of the nurse in a general practice?
2. How do hypertension affects the community and public health of Australia?
3. What are the clinical and patient outcomes in a hypertension management of patients led by a nursing professional?
Does the paper describe an important health-related problem and is the question clearly formulated? If yes, continue with the form
below. If no, find another paper and start again!
Using PCC, identify the following:
P (= population): the general population of Australia which has increased rates of hypertension leading to elevated rates of cardiovascular
diseases – is the target population of this research study
C (= concept): long standing chronic hypertension in the Australian public population causes other systemic disturbances such as
cardiovascular diseases, cerebral dysfunctions, increased rates of cerebrovascular accidents and the increased cases of renal and complex
multisystem dysfunction. With the emergence of new and advanced approaches in the health care system – the role of nurses have evolved
to meet the challenges of high patient pressure in the community as well as in the health institutional scenario.
C (= context): To release the pressure of the general practioners and to provide a holistic and timely care to the patients in a community
and institutional scenario, the approaches supporting the role of nurses as leaders in the management of hypertension has become
prominent in the health care system of Australia but in a bureaucratic organisational structure, the hierarchy of authority and power
centralises the doctors more than any other disciplines and thus, the perceptions of the doctors, nurses and also the patients poses various
challenges to the nurse led hypertension management interventions in terms of acceptance, feasibility and validity.

______________________________________________________________________
APPRAISAL GUIDE COMMENTS
I. Ontological, Epistemological, Methodological and Ethical questions
1. Was a qualitative approach appropriate? Is the
question being asked seeking to further
understanding of people’s views, opinions or
experiences in relation to a specific
setting/scenario/circumstance? Explain
The appropriate set of questions was asked seeking to further understanding of
people’s views, opinions or experiences in relation to a specific circumstance of
nurse led hypertension management program, in this research study and it is critical
to understand that the researchers of the study seeks the information from the
general practitioners and the clients who are the main stakeholders involved in the
nurse led clinical management program, to understand their opinions and
perceptions and also acceptability (Rushforth et al., 2016). The general practice
nurses were also involved in the data collection process in order to look into their
attitudes and perceptions that are responsible for an ongoing feasible process. The
semi structured interviews as a data collection method followed by thematic data
analysis is critical to the research aim and the purpose of the study. The qualitative
approach is appropriate and accurate to address the opinions, views and
experiences of the stakeholders in the clinical service delivery process led by the
nurses (Cheng, Inder & Chan, 2019).
2. Is there congruity between the stated
philosophical perspective, the research
methodology, the research question, the methods,
analysis and interpretation of results? Explain
The philosophical perspective of interpretivism- constructivist has been followed in
the research that provides multiple perspectives into the multi-viewpoints of the
different practioners and the patients about the nurse led clinical management and
this essentially finds congruity with the methodology and methods used in the
research. The qualitative methodology addresses the research questions in a
pertinent manner and the interpretation of the results using themes obtained through
a thematic analysis adds to the congruence and congruity of the research.
3. Is the researcher’s position described2? Is there
a statement locating the researcher culturally or
theoretically? Explain
The researchers have the credibility and the required knowledge to address the
needs of the research and to direct the development of the research through the
various stages, effectively. The research promotes equity and autonomy in relation
to empowerment of the nursing professionals and informs the sociocultural practice
in a positive manner.
4. Is the research ethical according to current
criteria or, for recent studies, and is there evidence
of ethical approval by an appropriate body? Explain
The ethical considerations are being addressed by the researchers of the study
properly and it is critical to understand that the ethical parameters in relation to
nursing and the patient care services were maintained. The research approval from
2 It is ideal that the researcher(s) clearly state their position in relation to the research question. For example – their background, gender, and existing knowledge or
personal experience of the topic to be researched.