Moisey, L.L., Kacker, S., Bickerton, A.C., Robinson, L.E., Graham, T.E. (2008).
Caffeinated coffee consumption impairs blood glucose homeostasis in response to high and low glycemic index meals in healthy men. Am J Clin Nutr. 87(5):1254-61.
Each student will complete a written critique of one research article (assigned
below according to student last name) for methodological soundness. Critiques will be
graded based on content quality, critical thinking, original thought, clarity, writing style,
and grammar. Please write in full sentences (no point form). The assignment must be no
more than 5 pages in length (excluding references). Pages exceeding the maximum
page limit will not be graded. References are optional and should only be used to quote
supplementary articles. Direct quotations of the article you critique are not permitted
(please use your own words to display critical and original thinking of the article you
critique). If used, references must follow the format of the American Psychological
Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (6th
ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Library reserve # BF76.7
.P82 2010. You may find the following website helpful in applying APA format, 6th
Edition http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html. You may also find
the following resource useful for this assignment: Playle, JF. Critically appraising
research reports. J Com Nurs. Nov 2000; 14(11).
All assignments must include a cover page indicating student name, student
number, date of submission, course name, course code, instructor name and full citation
of the article critiqued. Assignments must be typed in 12-point font and double-spaced,
with all pages numbered and stapled (not bound). Please refer to the Course Outline for
additional details pertaining to the submission of assignments. This critical appraisal
assignment is worth 25% of the final course grade and will be evaluated out of a total of
25 marks. The breakdown of the marking scheme is indicated in parentheses after each
point under the Content Guidelines below.
Content Guidelines (total 25 marks)
1. Identify the research question or main objective, and justification of the research
question or main objective (1 mark).
2. Identify the study design and discuss the strengths and limitations of this design (2
marks).
3. Describe the main result (there may be more than one result; pick the most
important one) and whether it is consistent with research question/main objective
(2 marks).
4. Besides those already stated in the article,
a) Discuss two strengths of the study (2 marks)
b) Discuss two limitations of the study (2 marks)
5. Interpret the quality of the “Discussion” or “Conclusions” section of the article.
Does this section effectively integrate the study findings into the relevant current
research knowledge and discuss the study implications and meaningfulness?
Justify your response (3 marks).
6. In your opinion, are the results of the study valid? Justify your response (2 marks).
7. In what ways was the study biased and unbiased? Justify your response (2 marks).
8. Interpret how the study results could be used in clinical/professional practice (2
marks)
9. Considering the cyclical nature of the research process and how study findings
often generate research questions for future studies, discuss a possible future
research direction generated out of the study (2 marks).
10. What is your overarching evaluation of the study (e.g., consider whether the article
was written in biased or value-free language, if ethical issues considered, if the
article was clearly written, etc.)? Justify your response (2 marks). *Grammar;
writing style; clarity; and, if applicable, appropriate use of references (3 marks)
