Critiquing the literature

1
Critiquing the literature
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC

• Peter J. Murray, PhD, RN

2
Critiquing the literature
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC

• 1. An overview of issues and guidelines
• (20 mins. approx)
• 2. Practical exercise (40 mins. approx)
• 3. Feedback from exercise (20 mins. approx)
• 4. Questions and discussion

3
An overview of issues and guidelines
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Critiquing the literature

• Critical review of the existing literature
• - an essential skill, especially post-grad.
• - is not as easy as some may think
• - is more than just description
• - where does it end and plagiarism begin?

4
An overview of issues and guidelines
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Critiquing the literature

• Literature critique (critical review)
• should be balanced
• include strengths and weaknesses of the
  literature reviewed
• should be constructive
• may provide suggestions for how the study or
  paper might have been improved.
• (Rodgers, 1997 - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  )

5
An overview of issues and guidelines
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Critiquing the literature

• Handout of some guidelines
• - not meant to be exhaustive
• - based in critical review of research papers
• - principles apply to all literature
• - need skills of summarising, note-taking - leads
  into academic writing

6
Practical exercise
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Critiquing the literature

• Two groups, two papers
• 1. read through guidelines handout
• 2. read each paper individually
• 3. discuss in group
• 4. prepare feedback notes addressing key issues

7
Feedback - key issues
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Critiquing the literature

• 1.what was the format of the paper?
• 2. what was the target audience?
• 3. what are the key messages from it?
• 4. what are the strengths and weaknesses?

8
Roundup - QA
MSc in Health Informatics, KAC
Critiquing the literature

• Any questions or issues arising?