Dissertation Critique and Evaluation Guidelines
1. Executive Summary
Briefly summarizes problem, magnitude, key determinants, recommended course of action
2. Statement of Problem
Was the problem clearly identified and defined?
Is it an appropriate/relevant public health problem?
Is the group/organisation/agency selected to hear the argument appropriate?
3. Magnitude of the problem
Is the magnitude of the problem clearly identified?
Are the strengths and limitations of the measures/estimates discussed?
Does the paper make a compelling case that the problem is significant enough to warrant attention?
4. Key Determinants
Are the appropriate biological, behavioral, and environmental determinants of the problem addressed?
5. Prevention/Intervention Strategies
Are current efforts summarized?
Are a sufficient breadth of options/strategies considered?
Do the options follow from the key determinants discussed?
6. Policy & Priority Setting
Are the relative advantages and disadvantages of each option/strategy considered?
Are the benefits/risks compared at individual, community, and societal levels?
Are political, economic, and technical feasibility considered?
7. Recommendations
Are the recommendations consistent with the analysis of the problem?
8. Implementation and Practice
Are the likely barriers to implementation addressed?
Are logistical/technical/resource concerns addressed?
9. Evaluation
Is the impact of the proposed intervention measurable?
Is ‘success’ defined?
Are provisions made for evaluating the impact of the recommended course of action?
