Analysis
NUFS/KIN 163- Physical Fitness and Nutrition, San Jose State University
2
Revised 081919
Analyses of Scientific Literature #1 & #2
Purpose: To understand how to critically read and analyze research articles.
For #1, your instructor will provide you with an article either on his or her web page or Canvas.
For #2, you will select your own study. Make sure to select either an experimental or
observational study so that all components of the assignment can be addressed, a review paper or
meta-analysis is not acceptable.
Directions
In a 3 to 4-page essay, answer all of the following questions based on the article provided:
1. What is the research problem? Another way to think about this is: Why was this study conducted? (briefly describe & analyze)
2. What is/are the hypothesis/hypotheses stated by the author(s)? (briefly describe & analyze)
3. A. Who were study participants (how many were there)? How were they recruited? B. What were the inclusion/exclusion criteria? (briefly describe & analyze)
4. What was the study design? (briefly describe & analyze)
5. What were the results? (briefly describe & analyze)
6. Did the results support the authors’ hypothesis/hypotheses? Why or why not?
7. What was/were the limitation(s) and strength(s) discussed by the author(s)? (These are usually in the Discussion/Conclusion section of the article.) List other strengths and
weaknesses you were able to identify that may not have been discussed by the author(s).
8. A. What conclusion(s) did the author(s) make?
B. How can the research findings be applied? If no applications were suggested by the
authors, in third person describe how you think the findings could be applied. Based on
this study and past research discussed in the Introduction, what are directions for future
research?
Use your own words to discuss the answers using information from the article. DO NOT use
direct quotes or copied material from the article. Instead, paraphrase the source material using
YOUR OWN WORDS and cite appropriately in APA format. Do not include the questions. Your
paper should be written in paragraph form; it should NOT be a list of the questions and your
responses. Your paper should be submitted to turnitin.com to check for plagiarism.
Please check with your instructor for further instructions on how to turn in assignments.
NUFS/KIN 163- Physical Fitness and Nutrition, San Jose State University
3
Revised 081919
NUFS/KIN 163 GRADING CRITERIA
FOR RESEARCH ANALYSIS
“A” papers (receiving 90% or more of the total points) have the following characteristics:
● Carefully follow the content guidelines given by the instructor; answer all questions posed on the critique outline;
● Carefully follow the guidelines for format; which includes not exceeding by more than one-half page the maximum double-spaced pages allowed;
● Are written in standard English, at an upper division college level, with complete sentences and appropriate paragraphs;
● Are written in the student’s own words, without using direct quotes or copied material from the source;
● Are free of redundancies, and have, at most, only 2-3 spelling and/or grammatical errors; ● Develop each section of the critique in a clear and logical fashion; have smooth transitions from
one sentence or idea to another; ● Include insightful interpretation that goes beyond the obvious or what the authors disclosed; ● Cover all of the major aspects of the assignment without going off track or padding; ● Are turned in on the due date and prior to the start of lecture.
“B” papers (receiving 80-89% of the total points) usually differ from an “A” report in one or more of the
following ways:
● Show less care in following the guidelines; ● Have a few lapses in good writing; ● Have less than full clarity in expression of ideas and interpretations; ● Show some tendency to go off track, pad the paper or have redundancies; ● Are turned in one day or partial day (after the start of lecture) late.
“C” papers (receiving 70-79% of the total points) usually differ from an “A” paper in more than one of
the following ways:
● Show minimal care in following guidelines; ● Have more than a few lapses in good writing; ● Use some ambiguous descriptions in the analysis or interpretation; ● Go off track, pad the paper, or have redundancy in more than one instance; ● Are turned in two days after the due date
Papers less than “C” (receiving less than 70% of the total points) usually differ from an “A” paper in
more than one of the following ways:
● Do not follow guidelines; ● Are poorly written; ● Fail to interpret information correctly, or answer questions clearly; ● Frequently wander off track, are “padded” with extraneous information, or are redundant; ● Are turned in more than two days after the due date.
NUFS/KIN 163- Physical Fitness and Nutrition, San Jose State University
4
Revised 081919
Name _____________________________________
GRADING SHEET FOR ANALYSIS OF LITERATURE #1 & #2 ATTACH THIS SHEET TO THE FRONT OF YOUR PAPER (IF REQUIRED)
CATEGORY
Followed directions,
originality report
obtained, format
Major flaws in
following directions,
format.
Followed some, but not
all directions; and/or
some formatting errors.
Excellent format.
Possible Points 0-1 2-4 5
Writing, syntax, spelling,
grammar
Major flaws in
writing, syntax,
spelling and/or
grammar
Some errors in writing,
syntax, spelling and/or
grammar
Well written.
Possible Points 0-5 6-8 9-10
Poor; showed lack
of understanding
Average Very good-excellent
Shows high level
understanding
Question 1 Stated
problem clearly.
0-1 2-3 4
Question 2 Described
hypothesis/research
question/goal clearly.
0-2 3-4 5
Question 3 Participants,
inclusion, exclusion
criteria.
0-1 1.5 2-3
Question 4 Described
study design
0-2 3-4 5-6
Question 5 Described
results clearly.
0-2 3-4 5-6
Question 6 Results
relative to
hypothesis/research
question/goal.
0 1 2
Question 7 Limitations
& strengths described.
0-1 1.5 2-3
Question 8 Future
research; conclusions,
applications.
0-2 3-4 5-6
Subtotal
5 points will be deducted for each calendar day or partial day late Deductions ___________
Your Total ________
PLAGIARISM CONTRACT
I acknowledge that I have not committed plagiarism in the process of writing this paper. I have cited the appropriate
sources and given credit to the authors’ works. I also acknowledge that this paper is my own work and that I have
not plagiarized or received answers from fellow classmates or other students.
I understand that plagiarism will result in a ZERO for the paper, and other possible academic sanctions, including a
report to the appropriate academic authorities.
Signature ______________________________Date ____________