Concept - Critical Appraisal of Qualitative
Studies Exam UPDATED ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What are qualitative research designs? (NCCMT, Intro) - CORRECT
ANSWER Research focused on how and why interventions work or do not work and
the experiences of groups or populations with a particular health issue
How does qualitative research differ from quantitative research? (NCCMT, Intro) -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Qualitative research focuses on multiple perspectives while
quantitative research focuses on finding "one answer"
2. Qualitative research focuses on understanding participant's viewpoints
3. Qualitative tries not to disturb the real world in which the study takes place, while
quantitative research is focused on introducing new interventions to evaluate its effectiveness
4. Qualitative researchers are highly involved throughout the research, while quantitative
researches try not to interfere with the data that they collect
5. Qualitative data is reported narratively, including participant's quotes
What is the goal of critical appraisal? (NCCMT, Intro) - CORRECT ANSWER Used to
judge whether a study was conducted well enough to adequately address its research question
and objectives
What are 6 considerations when appraising whether the results of a qualitative study are
valid? (NCCMT, Sec 1; Slides) - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Was there a clear statement
of the aims of the research (Identify P/S)
2. Is the qualitative methodology appropriate
3. Was the research design appropriate to address the aims of the research (phenomenology,
ethnography, grounded theory)
4. Was the recruitment strategy appropriate to address the aims of the research (sampling
method, inclusion/exclusion criteria, fit)
5. Was the data collected in a way that addressed the research issue (Description of sample,
appropriate size, data saturation)
, 6. Has the relationship between researcher and participants been adequately considered
(previous experience in field, impact on study)
How can you analyze whether there is a clear statement of aims in a qualitative study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Determine whether you can identify the
population (P) and situation (S) of the study
Refer to the abstract and background section of the paper
How can you analyze whether the qualitative methodology is appropriate in a qualitative
study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Consider whether qualitative research
methods are appropriate to answer the question of the study (compared to a quantitative
design). The study should focus on questions related to experiences, beliefs, feelings, or
perceptions of individuals and/or groups - often exploratory
Refer to the objective of the study
How can you analyze whether the research design is appropriate in a qualitative study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Identify whether the researchers indicated
the research design used and why it was chosen. If the rationale is consistent with the purpose
of the study design, it would be considered appropriate
Refer to the design section of the paper
How can you analyze whether the recruitment strategy is appropriate in a qualitative study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Determine whether the researcher provided a
detailed discussion of the purposive sampling approach used and whether its appropriate to
answering the research question
Identify the recruitment strategy, sampling method, and inclusion criteria
Refer to the participants section of the paper
Studies Exam UPDATED ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What are qualitative research designs? (NCCMT, Intro) - CORRECT
ANSWER Research focused on how and why interventions work or do not work and
the experiences of groups or populations with a particular health issue
How does qualitative research differ from quantitative research? (NCCMT, Intro) -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Qualitative research focuses on multiple perspectives while
quantitative research focuses on finding "one answer"
2. Qualitative research focuses on understanding participant's viewpoints
3. Qualitative tries not to disturb the real world in which the study takes place, while
quantitative research is focused on introducing new interventions to evaluate its effectiveness
4. Qualitative researchers are highly involved throughout the research, while quantitative
researches try not to interfere with the data that they collect
5. Qualitative data is reported narratively, including participant's quotes
What is the goal of critical appraisal? (NCCMT, Intro) - CORRECT ANSWER Used to
judge whether a study was conducted well enough to adequately address its research question
and objectives
What are 6 considerations when appraising whether the results of a qualitative study are
valid? (NCCMT, Sec 1; Slides) - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Was there a clear statement
of the aims of the research (Identify P/S)
2. Is the qualitative methodology appropriate
3. Was the research design appropriate to address the aims of the research (phenomenology,
ethnography, grounded theory)
4. Was the recruitment strategy appropriate to address the aims of the research (sampling
method, inclusion/exclusion criteria, fit)
5. Was the data collected in a way that addressed the research issue (Description of sample,
appropriate size, data saturation)
, 6. Has the relationship between researcher and participants been adequately considered
(previous experience in field, impact on study)
How can you analyze whether there is a clear statement of aims in a qualitative study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Determine whether you can identify the
population (P) and situation (S) of the study
Refer to the abstract and background section of the paper
How can you analyze whether the qualitative methodology is appropriate in a qualitative
study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Consider whether qualitative research
methods are appropriate to answer the question of the study (compared to a quantitative
design). The study should focus on questions related to experiences, beliefs, feelings, or
perceptions of individuals and/or groups - often exploratory
Refer to the objective of the study
How can you analyze whether the research design is appropriate in a qualitative study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Identify whether the researchers indicated
the research design used and why it was chosen. If the rationale is consistent with the purpose
of the study design, it would be considered appropriate
Refer to the design section of the paper
How can you analyze whether the recruitment strategy is appropriate in a qualitative study?
(NCCMT, Sec 2) - CORRECT ANSWER Determine whether the researcher provided a
detailed discussion of the purposive sampling approach used and whether its appropriate to
answering the research question
Identify the recruitment strategy, sampling method, and inclusion criteria
Refer to the participants section of the paper
