This assignment requires you to work through the instructions below to describe the key considerations in the critical appraisal of research, and to apply a critical appraisal tool to two papers. Three research articles are available to select from for this assessment. Select one to critically appraise for Part B and another one for Part C(references for papers available at end of this document). Details of how this assignment will be assessed are also included at the end of this document.

The recommended readings for the assignment and indicative word counts per section are as follows:

PART A:

1. Key considerations in critical appraisal of research (800-1000 words)

Describe the key considerations when critiquing

• systematic review articles,
• quantitative articles and
• qualitative articles.

Discuss these considerations in the context of the relevant research philosophies (epistemologies) and paradigms.

PART B: Article 1

2. Application of CASP tool (up to 300 words; excluding appraisal tool from word count)

1. State which article you are selecting to appraise (from the two options provided) and state the most appropriate tool for critiquing this article. Discuss your rationale in choosing the tool.
2. Apply the selected tool to critically appraise your article (include the completed tool which shows how you have appraised across all relevant domains).
3. Provide a summary of key findings from the research article, identifying the key findings which address the specific research questions (key statistic, p-value and confidence interval OR main themes or patterns).

3. Appraisal and comment(1000-1200 words)

• Discuss the strengthens and weaknesses of the article, comment on the overall quality of the article and its application to clinical practice.

PART C: Article 2

4. Application of CASP tool (up to 300 words; excluding appraisal tool from word count)

1. State which article you are selecting to appraise (from the two options provided) and state the most appropriate tool for critiquing this article. Discuss your rationale in choosing the tool.
2. Apply the selected tool to critically appraise your article (include the completed tool which shows how you have appraised across all relevant domains).
3. Provide a summary of key findings from the research article, identifying the key findings which address the specific research questions (key statistic, p-value and confidence interval OR main themes or patterns).

5. Appraisal and comment(1000-1200 words)

• Discuss the strengthens and weaknesses of the article, comment on the overall quality of the article and its application to clinical practice.