Critical Analysis CHAPTER 7

Aims of chapter 7 To explore the meaning of critical analysis To develop critical thinking skills To begin analysing a research-based article

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

Bloom’s (1956) Hierarchy of 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)

Critical analytic writing Descriptive writing Critical analytic writing States what happened Identifies its significance States what something is like Evaluates strengths and weaknesses Lists details Evaluates relative significance of details States the order in which things happened Makes reasoned judgments Says how to do something Argues a case according to the evidence

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

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

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?

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?

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?

Interrogating an article: Overall evaluation Strengths and weaknesses The article as a whole: structure and argument What is its USP? A unique selling proposition (USP, also seen as unique selling point) is a factor that differentiates a product from its competitors, such as the lowest cost, the highest quality or the first-ever product of its kind. AUSP could be thought of as “what you have that competitors don't.”

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