1. Critical Analysis
CHAPTER 7

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

3. 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]

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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.”

12. 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