This assessment develops critical thinking skills and builds understanding of research approach design through an evaluation of a research article from a peer-review perspective. You will identify and analyse aspects of a research that were well designed and implemented and aspects that were weak or flawed, based on research theory. This assessment covers your understanding of research problems, aims and questions, review of the literature, research perspectives and approaches, and research design and measurement. The article to be critiqued is:
Egan, K, Harcourt, D, Rumsey, N & Appearance Research Collaboration, 2011, A qualitative study of the experiences of people who identify themselves as having adjusted positively to a visible difference, Journal of Health Psychology, 16(5): 739-749.
GUIDELINES
At the top of the paper write ‘Critique of Egan et al. (2011)’ as the title and place your full name and student ID number below that. No introduction or conclusion is required. Divide your assignment into the four sections below:

Topic and the research question (Suggested Word Count: 300 words)
1. Identify and briefly explain key ideas regarding the selection of topics and the formulation of research questions, citing appropriate references starting with the course text. How should topics be selected? How should questions be articulated?
2. Critique how well Egan, et al. chose and justified their topic and articulated their research question. Did the authors outline a compelling justification for the study? Were their questions/hypotheses clearly articulated? If appropriate, argue how they could have improved their choice and justification of the topic and their articulation of questions.
Review of the literature (Suggested Word Count: 300 words)
1. Identify and briefly explain key ideas regarding the review of related literature, citing appropriate references starting with the course text. What is a review of the literature meant to do? What should it contain?
2. Critique how well Egan, et al. reviewed relevant literature. Did authors present relevant literature? If yes, was the presentation in line with what a review of literature should be? If appropriate, argue how they could have improved their review of the literature.
Choice of approach (Suggested Word Count: 300 words)
1. Identify and briefly explain key ideas regarding the choice of approach, citing appropriate references starting with the course text. What is a quantitative/qualitative/mixed methods approach? When are they useful?
2. Critique Egan, et al.’s choice of approach (quantitative, qualitative or mixed). Was the choice of approach appropriate? Is there a better approach? If appropriate, argue and justify a better choice of approach.
Design and measurement (Suggested Word Count: 300 words)
1. Identify and briefly explain key ideas regarding the selection of ‘cases’ and ‘time’ element for the research, citing appropriate references starting with the course text. What are the options for the selection of ‘cases’ and the ‘time’ element in research?
2. Critique Egan, et al.’s design of their research. Did their choice of ‘cases’ and ‘time’ for the research make sense? If appropriate, argue and justify a better choice of design in terms of the two aspects.