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Critical Analysis

Critical Analysis. Aims of session. To explore the meaning of critical analysis To develop critical thinking skills To begin analysing a research-based article. Critical analysis - what is it?.

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Critical Analysis

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  1. Critical Analysis

  2. Aims of session • To explore the meaning of critical analysis • To develop critical thinking skills • To begin analysing a research-based article

  3. Critical analysis - what is it? `In academic terms, critical analysis means considering the claims of theorists, governments, authorities and so on, what they are based on, and how far they seem to apply or be relevant to a given situation’. (Univ of Sussex Language Institute (1998) Critical Analysis, Argument and Opinion. [online] http://www.sussex.ac.uk/langc/skills/conc-det.html[Accessed 28.06.04]

  4. Bloom’s (1956) Hierarchyof Thinking Skills Evaluate (Make judgments about the value of ideas or information) Synthesize (Combine ideas or information into something new) Analyse (Make a systematic and detailed examination of an argument or piece of research) Apply (Use knowledge) Comprehend (Have understanding) Know (Be aware of something, recall information)

  5. Differences between descriptive and critical analytical writing

  6. Differences between descriptive and critical analytical writing

  7. Doing a critical appraisal What is the purpose of a critical appraisal? • A critical appraisal dissects the research paper, looking at its separate components • A critical appraisal comments on the paper as a whole

  8. What are the key components of an article based on primary research? • Abstract • Introduction • Literature review • Research methods • Data analysis/findings • Discussion • Conclusion

  9. Interrogating an article: a critiquing framework The Introduction • Are the research aims/questions clearly stated? • Is there a clear rationale for the research? • Are key concepts clearly defined?

  10. Interrogating an article: the literature review • What is the present state of play in relation to the topic? • Are a range of up-to-date sources reviewed? • Are key themes in the literature discussed and their significance shown? • Are gaps in the literature identified?

  11. Interrogating an article: the research methods • Is the context of the research clear? • Are the research methods appropriate to the research questions)? • Is there any evidence of triangulation? • Are methods clearly justified? • How is the research sample selected, and is it an appropriate sample for the research questions? • Are the methods well executed? • Are ethical issues addressed?

  12. Interrogating an article: the data analysis • Are the main findings described clearly? • Are they clearly related to the original research questions? • Are they presented in a format that is appropriate for the findings? • Is the interpretation of the data consistent with the evidence? • Are the findings significant? • If quantitative: Are the data analysed using appropriate statistical tools? • If qualitative: Selection of data presented? Whose voice is dominant?

  13. Interrogating an article: the discussion • How are the data from the research related back to the literature and to other findings? • Does the research support or challenge existing thinking or practice? • Does the research suggest recommendations for practice, or areas for further research? • Is the author reflective on her/his work or self-critical?

  14. Interrogating an article: the conclusion • Are the threads of the argument drawn together clearly? • Are the research questions answered and research aims fulfilled? • What does the research contribute to the field?

  15. Interrogating an article: Overall evaluation • Strengths and weaknesses • The article as a whole: structure and argument • What is its USP?

  16. Activity: Developing your skills Preparing to write your review: In pairs: • Use the critiquing framework provided to analyse the article. • Review 2 sections of the article • Feedback to group

  17. Writing your review Use the statements below to write a brief review of your article: • The aims of this article are • In her introduction, the author claims that • The literature review • Her argument is • She concludes that • Whilst the author does

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