1. How to Write a Critical Review
Dr. Reza Rezayatmand
Olympiad preparation course
27 Tir 1396

2. Phase of conducting a critical review
Defining the scope of the review
Identifying the sources of relevant information
Reviewing the literature
Writing the review
Applying the literature to the proposed study.

3. Reviewing the literature
Reading
Preliminary skim reading to provide insight into
What has been done
Why it was done
How it was done
Outcome
Current state of knowledge
Possible gap in the theoretical knowledge
Methodological limitations
Identify themes within literature that can bring some sense of structure

4. Remember
the main purpose of a critical review is to demonstrate insight into the current state of knowledge in the field and the major questions being investigated, so that gaps pertaining to current knowledge can be identified with confidence.

5. Start writing IMRaD format Introduction Method Results Discussion
conclusion

6. Start structuring Methods of structuring results
Examining the theoretical literature then methodological literature
Examining the theoretical literature then empirical literature
Dividing the literature into content themes
Examining the literature chronologically

7. Examining the theoretical literature then methodological literature
The purpose of this kind of analysis
Review the theories
Implication of this theories to develop an appropriate methodology

8. Question to be asked while reviewing
Is there a consensus regarding the meaning, nature or constitution of the topic?
Are there counter-arguments as to the meaning, nature and constitution of the topic, if so what are they?
Do you agree with these counter-arguments?
If there are no counter-arguments, can you think of any? These could be based upon theory or experience

9. Examining theoretical then empirical evidence
First section reviewing the theoretical literature
Second section empirical literature related to those theoretical background
Critical appraisal of methodologies

10. Question to be considered
Did the methodology of one study produce more valid results than another study?
Does one study have more practical relevance than another study?

11. Dividing the literature into content themes
The most popular way of structuring a critical review
Identify themes within the literature
For Examples pain with themes of:
Theories of pain
Assessment of pain
Management of pain
Nurses’ attitude to pain and their effect upon decision-making
Cultural aspects of pain

12. Question to be considered
Is the evidence conclusive, or is there theoretical consensus?
Are there counter-arguments or counterevidence?
If there is no counter-argument or counterevidence presented, can you think of any?
If there are multiple viewpoints or positions
regarding the topic, what is your considered view?

13. Examining the literature chronologically
Less used approach
Used when a subject has been evolved over time period both in terms of theories and empirical evidence

14. Conclusion What we do expect as the output of a critical review:
To justify the need for the/a new study
A conceptual framework for the/a new study
A theoretical framework for the/ a new study

15. What is a conceptual framework
A conceptual framework involves identifying the main concepts within the literature and connecting these together (in the form of a diagram) to demonstrate how they might be used to inform a future study.

16. Theoretical or conceptual framework?
If theories rather than concepts are used to underpin a future study, this suggests that the theories around the topic of interest are well developed.
If this is the case, then a small number of key theories pertinent to the planned study may be used, rather than a broader array of concepts from a range of literature, that are less well developed.

17. Please note Review should be critical and not merely descriptive
It should not be underestimated as it is a very important part of research process and very vital to
Define and refine the research question, And
Design the future study