Appraisal (8)
I believe the answer is:
critique
'appraisal' is the definition.
(I know that critique is a type of Critical appraisal)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for critique that I've seen before include "Detailed analysis" , "Judgement, appraisal" , "Judgment, appraisal" , "Reasoned review" , "dissertation" .)