The purpose of this assignment is for students to demonstrate understanding of the research process through the critical appraisal of published research. This appraisal form is based on Chapter 18 and other chapters of Gray & Grove (2021). Use this form to complete the first graded research appraisal.
Paraphrase information from the article to demonstrate your understanding of research concepts. If you quote directly from the article, use appropriate APA citation format. Document – using appropriate APA citation format – information from the course text to support your understanding of the research process.
Points are allotted as indicated in each section of the form with a section for APA at the bottom.
SECTION 1 (24 points total)
Problem Statement and
Study Purpose
(13 points)
a. Identify the problem that formed the basis for this study. (4 points) According to this study, the problem that it seeks to unravel is the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in managing depression and anxiety that is associated with chronic pain.
Based on the study, depression and anxiety have been highlighted as the risk factors that have led to poor outcomes among patients having chronic pain. Similarly, pain especially at multiple locations is highly linked with increased risk of developing depression and anxiety.
With the perceived capabilities of the cognitive behavioral therapy in treating these wide range of issues ranging from anxiety, depression to chronic pain, the article seeks to effectively understand the relationship between CBT and managing these disorders.
b. Describe the types of information (national statistics, cost analysis, previous research, etc.) provided by the author(s) about the background of the problem. (3 points) In setting a precedence for the topic, the study starts by highlighting the extent of chronic pain in the Iceland region which affects at least 20% to 54% percent of the population. This is an indication that a substantial amount of the population suffers from depression and anxiety since they are linked to chronic pain.
The study further highlights compelling evidence from three distinct papers that highlights the nexus between chronic pain and depressive symptoms. These papers further go ahead to evaluate the importance of cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment of depression.
The cost benefit of the incorporation of the cognitive behavior therapy in pain management is linked with the reduced costs that would otherwise go to chronic pain treatment.
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c. Did the author(s) make the case that this is a problem of significance for nursing? (4 points) The authors to a great extent manage to highlight that chronic pain and its associated consequences is a problem of significance.
Chronic pain tends to reduce the patients mental wellbeing thus urging the caregivers to think of innovative ways in which they can ensure that patients are relieved of their depressive symptoms through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy.
d. What was the purpose of the study? You may state the purpose verbatim from the article using correct APA format for direct quotes. (2 points) “Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be effective for treating depression and anxiety in patients with chronic pain, but there is limited research studying the long-term benefits of CBT in this population. The present study evaluated the effects of CBT provided in the context of an interdisciplinary pain management program with a 3-year follow-up” (Olason et al., 2017).
Objectives/Questions/Hypotheses
(2 points)
a. State the objectives, research questions or hypotheses (if applicable). You may state this information verbatim from the article using correct APA format for direct quotes. The objective of this study is to understand the effectiveness of standard rehabilitation pain management among patients having depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Literature Review
(5 points)
a. How relevant were the studies and/or theories used in the literature review? Where the references current? Did the literature review provide an adequate picture of the current state of the science of the topic?
The different studies used in informing this research are all relevant as they all revolve around chronic pain and the management of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
However, the references used are not current with some going back to as far as 1998 which to some extent discredit the credibility of the research.
Nevertheless, the literature review manages to paint an accurate picture on the current state of affairs as far as chronic pain and the use of cognitive behavioral therapy is concerned.
Framework or Theory
(4 points)
a. Is a framework or theory explicitly expressed? If yes, briefly describe the framework or theory. (2 points) The framework is well stated within this paper. The theoretical framework in this case is understanding the benefits of adding individual CBT treatment in pain management among chronic pain patients.
b. If there is a framework or theory, are the relationships among the concepts described? If so, provide an example. (1 point) The relationship is between patient outcomes and the incorporation of the CBT treatment.
c. If there is a framework or theory, can you link the study variables to the framework? Provide an example. (1 point) Variables in this case include; CBT treatment and patient outcomes.
SECTION 2 (20 points total)
Study Variables
(8 points)
a. What are the study variables? (4 points)
b. Identify each variable type (e.g., independent, dependent, research). (4 points)
Research Design
(12 points)
a. State the research design and describe it in a way that demonstrates your understanding of how it works. Support your understanding of the design with information from the course text. (6 points)
b. Explain if this study design is appropriate for the purpose of this study. (6 points)
SECTION 3 (22 points total)
Sampling
(12 points)
a. What were the eligibility criteria for the sample? (4 points)
b. State the sampling method and describe it in a way that demonstrates your understanding of how the sample was attained. (4 points)
c. How was sample size calculated/determined? (4 points)
Measurement
(10 points)
a. How was each study variable measured? (4 points)
b. What information (if any) was provided about the reliability and validity of the measurement instruments? (3 points)
c. In your opinion and based on the course content, are the measurement instruments adequate to measure the study variables? Explain your answer. (3 points)
SECTION 4 (24 points total)
Statistical Analysis
(8 points)
a. Explain which statistical tests were used to address the purpose statement or research questions/objectives/ hypotheses. (6 points)
b. Explain if these tests were appropriate given the aim of the study. (2 points)
Interpretation of Results
(10 points)
a. Interpret the statistical results to demonstrate your understanding of the results (4 points)
b. Did the author discuss how the results were consistent with previous literature? Give an example if they did so. (2 points)
c. How did the author(s) address the generalizability of the results? If they did not do so, to whom do you think the results are applicable? Consider sociodemographic and other characteristics of the sample as well as sample inclusion criteria when addressing generalizability. (4 points)
Limitations/Threats to Validity (6 points)
a. What limitations or threats to study validity were identified by the author(s)? (3 points)
b. Did you identify any limitations that the author(s) did not address? (3 points)
For example, was the sampling method adequate to produce a representative sample? Was sample size sufficient to avoid a type II error? Were valid and reliable instruments used to measure variables? Were there threats to study validity (internal, external, construct or statistical conclusion)?
For ideas on study validity or the entire appraisal process, refer to relevant sections of the course text.
