HED - Scientific Article Critique

SAMPLE RUBRIC

HED 320 Contemporary Sexuality, Fall 2018

Scientific Article Critique Rubric

A. Choosing the Article: 3 Points

1) Selected an article about a study of a biological or behavioral aspect of human sexuality. __/1 pt.

• Use a complete article, not just the abstract.

2) Identify the academic data base used to retrieve the article __/1 pt. i. (e.g. EBSCO host or PubMed)

3) Correct date; published after June 1, 2018 __/1 pt.

B. Mechanics: 3 Points

1) Critique length: 2 full pages, (no deduction for exceeding 2 pages) __/1 pt. (1.5 pages = ½ pt.)

2) 12 point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced __/1 pt.

3) Correct spelling and grammar (-1 point for 4 errors) __/1 pt.

C. Article Analysis – Number your sections from 1-10 to answer each question below. 13 Points 1) Summary of the article/study. (1 paragraph, about 4-5 sentences)

a) Define the main question/problem the author/s are studying in this article. __/1 pt. b) Briefly summarize their main FINDINGS and CONCLUSIONS. __/1 pt.

2) WHO performed and published the study? __/1 pt.

3) What type of publication is the article from? __/1 pt. Choose one type: peer-reviewed journal, academic journal, trade magazine, newspaper.

4) Explain how the type of publication affects the validity of the information. (1-2 sentences) __/1 pt.

5) Who is the intended audience of this article? __/1 pt.

6) Analysis of the methodology (answer all questions below in 1 paragraph): a) What was the sample size? __/½ pt. b) Who was included in the sample? (sex, race, gender, orientation, age, etc.) __/½ pt. c) Identify the methods used to gather the information in the study. __/1 pt.

o Examples: Case studies, survey (questionnaires or interviews) Direct observation, or experimental method.

d) Analyze the reliability of these methods. __/1 pt.

7) ANALYZE the author's results and conclusion based on the data. __/1 pt.

8) Identify at least one critique, author’s bias or validity concerns in the results and __/1 pt. conclusion sections.

9) Based on your overall evaluation of the article, does this article provide valid __/1 pt. and quality scientific information about a biological

aspect of human sexuality? Why or why not? * this is your educated opinion.

10) What is the value of the article? What does it contribute to our understanding __/1 pt. of human sexuality?

IV. Legible copy of the article – 1 Point

• Print-out or photocopy of full article is attached __/1 pt. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Late Paper Points Deductions (-2 points = 10% per class meeting late):________

Total Points: ________/20