Can somebody, ANYBODY give me an idiots guide to fecking critiquing research papers? I am about to go MAD

[tiredemma]

ARGH>

Title says it all really.

I have spent the past two hours doing nada.

I would summarise the main points, see where they agree or disagree and then think about when they were done, what might have influenced the findings, who commissioned the research and pull it together with suggestions as to where there are limitations......hope this isn't too complicated

good luck

-does the paper answer the question it set out to answer?
-was it a good question to ask anyway?

Got Parahoo but Im still none the wiser ( I feel like shit so I think its more to do with the fact that Im so pissed off with it all I just cannot be fucking arsed anymore) Do you know when you just stare at the pc for hours but cant string a valid sentence together.

Was the methodology appropriate? Was the sample size sufficient to show the effect(s) they were investigating?

Chin up, you'll get there

Strawb. Are you supposed to be here?

Has the self-imposed exile ended now?

Have a look at one of these:

www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/ir/units/critapp/index.htm

www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/services_and_facilities/internal/library/services/training/resources_appraisal.htm l - this one has a list of resources. Have a look at the CASP tools.

www.christie.nhs.uk/pro/library/Critical-Appraisal.aspx - nice brief summary and more links.

Hope this helps a bit.

Im going to bed now sal. Had enough of it- its not just the critiquing- I have to critique 3 papers and then design my own piece of research (ie what type of study would I use, why etc.all that bollocks)

Its just fucking me right off.

LGJ suggested a hot bath, early night with clean linen. Thats what I am going to do now, before my head explodes.

sorry- has to be in on the 3rd march