Assignment: Evidence-Based Project, Part 3: Critical Appraisal of Research

Realtors rely on detailed property appraisals—conducted using appraisal tools—to assign market values to houses and other properties. These values are then presented to buyers and sellers to set prices and initiate offers.

Research appraisal is not that different. The critical appraisal process utilizes formal appraisal tools to assess the results of research to determine value to the context at hand. Evidence-based practitioners often present these findings to make the case for specific courses of action.

In this Assignment, you will use an appraisal tool to conduct a critical appraisal of published research. You will then present the results of your efforts.

To Prepare:

• Reflect on the four peer-reviewed articles you selected in Module 2 and the four systematic reviews (or other filtered high- level evidence) you selected in Module 3.
• Reflect on the four peer-reviewed articles you selected in Module 2 and analyzed in Module 3.
• Review and download the Critical Appraisal Tool Worksheet Template provided in the Resources.

The Assignment (Evidence-Based Project)

Part 3A: Critical Appraisal of Research

Conduct a critical appraisal of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected by completing the Evaluation Table within the Critical Appraisal Tool Worksheet Template. Choose a total of four peer- reviewed articles that you selected related to your clinical topic of interest in Module 2 and Module 3.

Note: You can choose any combination of articles from Modules 2 and 3 for your Critical Appraisal. For example, you may choose two unfiltered research articles from Module 2 and two filtered research articles (systematic reviews) from Module 3 or one article from Module 2 and three articles from Module 3. You can choose any combination of articles from the prior Module Assignments as long as both modules and types of studies are represented.

Part 3B: Critical Appraisal of Research

Based on your appraisal, in a 1-2-page critical appraisal, suggest a best practice that emerges from the research you reviewed. Briefly explain the best practice, justifying your proposal with APA citations of the research.

Article 1

I choose the article “Client retention in community treatment: completer and non-completer experiences of an individualized, needs-based partner abuse intervention program.” since it relates to the clinical issue of interest which is understanding the issues that influenced late recovery of the client. The peer reviewed article was used to highlight the importance of incorporating therapeutic alliance and providing structured individualized treatment to participants of partner abuse intervention programs (Pearson et al., 2020). The research methodology applied was qualitative which focused on elaborating the target issue through data collected from books and other internet sources or materials. Qualitative research helps maintain good relationships between researchers and study participants hence the delivery of quality information. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews which were completed by 14 participants. The interviews added a strength for the research since information shared by the participants was valid based on their subjective experiences.

Article 2

I selected the article “High risk situations predicting relapse in self-referred addicts to Bushehr province substance abuse treatment centres” since it provides a deeper explanation of the effective strategies for relapse prevention which is a major clinical issue of interest. The study was used to evaluate high risk situations for relapse self-referred drug addicts. Researchers used IDTS Marlatt questionnaires to conduct analytical and descriptive statistics. The questionnaires added a strength to the study since they assessed high risk situations that influence relapse on self-referred addicts in substance abuse centres (Shafiei et al., 2014). Questionnaires are more practical and easier to analyse which is a major strength when using them to collect data for quantitative studies. The qualitative study helped highlight major clinical and psychological strategies used to minimize the high rates of relapse.

Article 3

I selected the article “Relapse Coping Strategies in Young Adults Addicts: A Quantitative Study in Iran” since it provides a highlight of the cognitive-behavioural coping approach used to prevent relapse among young adult addicts. The coping strategies are used to replace incompatible behavior with compatible answers. Research was conducted through a quantitative study whereby a sample of 70 self-referred drug addicts were examined (Shafiei et al., 2016). The participants shared information about relapse coping strategies through questionnaires. Quantitative research enables generalization of research findings through objective and accurate information shared by the study participants. The data collection method was efficient since it helped highlight coping skills effective for young adults. Information shared through the questionnaire was valid and efficient, a factor that influenced successful research.

Article 4

I selected the article “A qualitative exploration of social support during treatment for severe alcohol use disorder and recovery” since it relates to the clinical issue of social support required for recovering addicts. Data collected through the study explains complex issues and barriers experienced by individuals recovering. Qualitative research was conducted to help incorporate the human experience when undergoing treatment for severe alcohol use disorder. Researchers conducted interviews in 2014 and 2015 and an in-depth thematic analysis of topics related to social support (Brooks et al., 2017). The interviews presented a strength in the study since they highlighted the relationship between quality and nature of sustained sobriety when patients transition from the research facilities in charge of rehabilitation treatment in the community.

References

Brooks, A. T., Lòpez, M. M., Ranucci, A., Krumlauf, M., & Wallen, G. R. (2017). A qualitative exploration of social support during treatment for severe alcohol use disorder and recovery. Addictive behaviors reports, 6, 76-82.

Pearson, D. A., Steward, C. D., & Ford, A. K. (2020). Client retention in community treatment: completer and noncompleter experiences of an individualized, needs-based partner abuse intervention program. Journal of interpersonal violence, 0886260520907356.

Shafiei, E., Hoseini, A. F., Bibak, A., & Azmal, M. (2014). High risk situations predicting relapse in self-referred addicts to bushehr province substance abuse treatment centers. International journal of high risk behaviors & addiction, 3(2).

Shafiei, E., Hoseini, A. F., Parsaeian, F., Heidarinejad, A., & Azmal, M. (2016). Relapse coping strategies in young adults addicts: A quantitative study in Iran. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 38(1), 46-49.