Introduction
One important part of using research is the ability to understand research – and with the ability to understand research comes to the ability to appraise research. Appraising research incorporates understanding how research is conducted and then involves critiquing and evaluating the implications of a research publication.
For Assessment Task 2, you should pretend that you work within a government department and have been asked to provide a recommendation as to whether a particular health intervention should be funded. To do this, you will critically evaluate articles on the one topic, from a selection of 4 topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
You will then be required to conduct a small literature search on the topic to see if the broader (and more recent) literature supports the same recommendations as those reported in the provided articles. Based on your critical appraisal of these articles, you will then provide a final recommendation as to whether the intervention should be funded.
Content of your assessment
1. Select which topic you are interested in, and download the article within that topic.
2. Read the article carefully and make sure you understand the content, argument, vocabulary etc. Use the resources from the unit content and readings to help you explore relevant research principles, terms and issues. Use the resources available through the library website to advance your understanding and to access additional references to support your work.
4. Conduct a small literature review on your topic and locate other articles. In your assessment, you should make note of what databases and search terms you used to find these articles.
5. Identify what kinds of similar and/or associated studies were conducted, and use an appropriate critical appraisal tool to consider effectiveness and rigour to help comparing quality of evidence between studies – part of this process is identifying whether they validate or refute the recommendations of the provided articles.
Where possible, for simplicity, use a relevant CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Program) tool.
An easy link to locate them is here: http://www.casp-uk.net
Also note an Onemda Critical Appraisal Tool can be used in conjunction with the CASP model when reviewing Indigenous research – this has been uploaded in the Assessment folder.
Retain a bibliography of reviewed articles that can be attached as an appendix to your assignment. This is separate to your reference list, since although you might not draw on all collected articles for your reference list (the list of articles cited in-text), this demonstrates wider reading.
6. Based on your critical appraisal of these articles, write a summary recommendation as to whether the intervention should be funded.
Marking
The assignment is marked out of 45, and is worth 45% of your final grade. See the marking guide for details on how this assessment will be marked; it is located in the AT2 folder.
Remember: Assessments are your way of demonstrating achievement of the learning outcomes for this unit. By successfully completing this assessment, you will be able to:
1. Identify different types of research used in health practice (ULO 3)
2. Decide upon the appropriateness of different types of research methods and findings (ULO 4)
3. Critically appraise research articles and defend this appraisal (ULO 5).
Note: This assessment has been specifically designed to give students practical experience in critical appraisal and literature searching skills before they commence their minor project.
Assessment criteria Task 2: Critical Appraisal (2,500 words)
Mark
Has included an effective introduction in the assignment. Provides an overview of the selected topic area, including an overview of the provided articles and introduces key points.
/5
Clearly identifies search strategy, including databases and search terms. (5 marks)
Demonstrates relevant use of the critical appraisal tool relevant to the article and research method. (5marks)
Provides an appendix demonstrating a broader literature search and key findings relevant to each article – even though all articles might not have been referred to or used in the actual assignment. (5 marks)
Demonstrates critical thinking (not just description) when appraising and comparing studies and relevant findings. (5 marks)
Provides a comprehensive critical appraisal including a conclusion summarising key discussion points and recommendation based on the critical appraisal.
Clear explanations provided throughout, including specific and relevant examples, plus logical supporting evidence.

/5
/5
/5
/5
/10

Written clarity and presentation of the assignment
Logical linking of paragraphs, use of appropriate sentence structure, punctuation, grammar and spelling. Includes margins and 1.5 spacing. Includes a title page with student name, student number and word count.
/5
References
Harvard or APA style is applied correctly to the assignment, including in-text citations and reference list. References are not included in the word count.
/5
TOTAL OUT OF 45
/45
Unit Learning Outcomes for this assignment include: 1. Identify different types of research used in health practice. 2. Decide upon the appropriateness of different types of research methods and findings 3.
Critically appraise research articles and defend this appraisal.
I have understood the Learning Outcomes for this assignment: (highlight/bold or underline)
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion
I have met the Learning Outcomes for this assignment:
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion