Critical Article Review

POSSIBLE

POINTS:

CATEGORY:

Excellent (5 points)

Very Good (4 points)

Average (3 points):

Fair (2 points):

Missing information/Below Standards (1 point)

5

Citations

All authors are cited and correct APA format for citations are used. One citation per paragraph (minimum)

Authors are only cited 2-3 times in the paper but the citations are in correct format.

Authors are cited only 1-2 times in paper and citations are not in APA format.

Citations are not in APA format or authors are not cited in the paper.

Authors are not cited in the paper.

5

Minimal use of direct quotes

0-1 direct quote in papers. Quotes is formatted properly with author’s name, year, and page number as well as quotation marks

2-3 direct quotes.

Quotes are formatted correctly with author’s name, year, page # and quotation marks.

4-5 direct quotes formatted correctly or

Fewer quotes that are not formatted correctly

More than 5 direct quotes.

Quotes are not formatted correctly.

Paper is all direct quotes with no evidence that students understands article.

5

Reference page

Reference page includes all and only cited articles. The article(s) are appropriately scholarly and appropriate to the topic. Original articles/chapters were clearly read by the student.

Reference list may leave out some cited article or include one that was not cited. The articles are appropriately scholarly but may be somewhat tangential and were likely read by the student.

Reference may not be appropriate for assignment. Key references are clearly cited from other sources and not likely read by the student.

Reference list is more like a bibliography of related sources. References may not be scholarly sources or otherwise not appropriate for the assignment (e.g., too many secondary sources), or they may not be current.

No reference page

5

Title

Page

Running head shortened but complete within character limit. All relevant parts of the title page are included. APA style is completely

All relevant parts of the title page are included. Title/RH is appropriate but may not be very concise.

Title/RH does not effectively convey all the variables in the study. Some needed elements may be missing.

Title/RH is not appropriate for a scientific paper. Title page does not follow APA style.

No title page included

5

Margins/Font

Uses Times New Roman 12 point font and margins are 1 inch

Margins are correct but font is not correct

Font is correct but margins are not correct

Incorrect font and margins used.

5

Scientific Writing

There is a clear organization to the paper, and transitions are smooth and effective. Tone is appropriately formal. Topic sentences are appropriate for paragraphs, and key ideas are explained/described as needed. Sentences are concise and word choice is precise, with nonbiased language. Proper paraphrases are usually used, but quotation marks are used appropriately if necessary.

Organization is effective although improvements could be made. Transitions are generally there, but are occasionally not smooth, and paragraphs may stray from the central idea. Tone is appropriately formal. Punctuation and grammar are almost completely correct. Sentences are generally concise and word choice is usually precise. Paraphrases are usually used, and quotation marks are used appropriately if necessary.

Organization is less adequate, making the paper difficult to follow. Transitions are sometimes there, and those that are there could be improved. Tone is occasionally colloquial. Punctuation and grammar are usually correct, but there are consistent mistakes. Sentences are not always concise and word choice is sometimes vague. The author includes many quotes or improper “paraphrases” that may constitute unintentional plagiarism.

Organization is confusing. Transitions are missing or are very weak. Tone is consistently too informal. Sentences are not concise and word choice is vague. The author strings together quotations without enough original input.

Writes conversationally. Excessive use of “I”

5

Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation

Correct grammar throughout paper, with

All or most sentences are complete, clear, concise, and well-constructed.

Few fragmented sentences, incorrect punctuations, or misspellings. (< 3 sentences w/o errors).

Several areas with fragmented sentences, incorrect punctuations, or misspellings.

(4-7 sentences with errors.) 50-75% of sentences are complete, concise, and well-constructed

Numerous areas with fragmented sentences, incorrect punctuations, or misspellings. (8 or more sentences with errors). <50% of sentences are complete, concise, and well-constructed.

So many problems with grammar and spelling that paper cannot be understood.

5

Demonstrates understanding of findings

Appropriately describes all sections of the article including the research question/hypothesis, methods, and results

Appropriately described most sections of the paper.

Described some sections of the paper but had difficulty explaining the key findings.

Shows little to no understanding of the research findings.

Did not describe research findings

5

Evaluates Strengths

Showed good critical thinking skills by evaluating multiple strengths of the study

Addressed a few strengths of the research. Some evidence of critical thinking

Mentioned one novel strength

Addressed very basic strengths of the study. Did not demonstrate critical thinking

Did not include strengths of study

5

Evaluates

Weaknesses

Showed good critical thinking skills by evaluating multiple weaknesses of the study. Description of weaknesses went beyond the authors’ description of limitations.

Addressed a few weaknesses of the research. Some evidence of critical thinking

Relied mostly on the author’s own description of limitations. Mentioned one novel weakness.

Addressed very basic weaknesses or reported the author’s limitations only.

Did not include weaknesses of study