In-Class Article Discussion Prompt PDF

**Background:** Audiologists need to critically evaluate academic journal articles and confidently discuss them with their colleagues and concerned patients. Article discussions provide an opportunity for audiology students to practice these skills. While the conclusions drawn by the authors will b...

**Background:** Audiologists need to critically evaluate academic journal articles and confidently discuss them with their colleagues and concerned patients. Article discussions provide an opportunity for audiology students to practice these skills. While the conclusions drawn by the authors will be of interest, and likely the focus of the students' attention, the point of this activity is not for the students to learn a specific set of "facts" espoused by the authors of the article. Rather, student's time and attention should be spent understanding how the authors reached their conclusions, and weighing the evidence to decide for themselves what can be learned from the article. Additionally, students should treat this as an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and consider the how the insight they gained from the journal article can impact their practice as health care providers. **Objectives:** The purpose of in-class article discussions in Adult Behavioral Assessment is to practice critically evaluating scientific articles so that you can: 1. Accurately report scientific evidence. 2. Identify methodological limitations in empirical research. 3. Critically interpret and evaluate scientific evidence by appraising the support provided for arguments made by authors of academic journal articles. 4. Logically use scientific evidence to advance your own understanding. 5. Relate academic journal articles to clinical practice. **Outline of Discussion:** 1. Summarize the topic of the article. 2. Explain why this topic is important. 3. Describe what the authors were looking to do with this study. 4. Summarize the methods used in this study. 5. Summarize the primary findings of the study. 6. Discuss strengths and weaknesses for the study design. 7. Discuss which conclusions are most supported by the presented information. **To aid in the article discussion, consider the following questions:** 1. Introduction a. What is the issue this study set out to investigate? b. Why is this issue important? c. What makes this study unique/novel? d. What is the hypothesis/research question this study set out to test/investigate? 2. Methods e. Generally, in 1-2 sentences, what did the authors do in this study? f. Do the methods allow for the authors to adequately test their hypothesis/answer their research question? g. What limitations exist based on the choices the authors made with respect to their methods for this study? i. Who were the participants? How were they recruited? ii. How did the authors choose to define/measure their variables? iii. Are there any choices the authors made in how they conducted their study that could alter its outcome? 3. Results h. Do the types of analyses conducted make sense given the study\'s hypothesis/research question? i. What does the data tell you the study found? j. Can you draw your own conclusions by looking at the tables and figures presented in the results section? 4. Discussion k. Does the authors' summary of what was found in the study match your interpretation of what was found based on the data and methods? l. Do the authors adequately address any concerns you have with the design or findings of this study? m. Do you agree with the authors\' conclusions about the implications of their work? n. What do the findings of this study mean for you as someone who will eventually be a health care provider? 5. General questions: o. What is the primary point the author is trying to make? p. Does the author provide compelling evidence to support the point being made? q. Does the author accurately present the issue? r. What assumptions are being made by the author? s. What biases do the author seem to have? t. Are there any parts of the author\'s conclusions or analysis with which you disagree? u. Do you feel like this commentary will have any impact on the way you practice? Alternatively/additionally, you may use the research article critical review form on the following page to assist in your preparation for the in-class article discussion. +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **REFERENCE** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **STUDY PURPOSE** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Was the purpose stated clearly? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | Describe the purpose of the | | | study. | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **DESIGN** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Systematic | | | review/meta-analysis | | | | | | - Randomized controlled trial | | | (RCT) | | | | | | - Nonrandomized | | | quasi-experimental | | | | | | - Controlled, | | | non-interventional | | | descriptive (e.g. | | | comparative, correlational, | | | developmental, case-control, | | | other) | | | | | | - Uncontrolled | | | non-interventional | | | | | | Blinding of participants, | | | clinicians, data analyzers? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | Describe the study design. | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **SAMPLE** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Clearly described, recognizable | | | participants? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | Was sample size justified? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | N = \_\_\_\_ | | | | | | Describe the sampling procedure | | | (inclusion/exclusion criteria; | | | who; how; grouping). | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Were the measures reliable? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | - Not addressed | | | | | | Were the measures valid? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | - Not addressed | | | | | | Control over confounding | | | variables? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | - Not addressed | | | | | | Describe the outcome measures | | | (how were measures obtained; what | | | is the dependent variable(s); | | | what comparisons are being made) | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **RESULTS** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Statistically significant | | | differences? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | - Not addressed | | | | | | Practical significance: size and | | | importance of treatment effects? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | - Not addressed | | | | | | Describe the main results and | | | statistical significance (what | | | were the *p*-values) of the | | | results. | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **LIMITATIONS** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Limitations of the study | | | addressed? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | What limitations did the authors | | | identify? What limitations did | | | you identify? How can the | | | limitations be addressed in | | | future studies? | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Conclusions were appropriate | | | given study methods and results? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | Feasibility in community and | | | practice? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | Cost-benefit? | | | | | | - Yes | | | | | | - No | | | | | | What did the study conclude? What | | | are the clinical implications of | | | the results? If any, what | | | conclusions can you draw | | | regarding the cost-benefit? | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **QUESTIONS & APPLICATION** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | What questions do you have about | | | the study? How does the study | | | apply to clinical services? How | | | will you use the evidence? | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+