writing project

APA Style Citation:

Article critique: to the PDF listed

1.  Research question:

· Here you should describe the research question addressed by the study. This is not the same as the study’s hypothesis. What question was the researcher(s) trying to answer? There may be more than one!

2.  Summary of the prior findings and theories:

· Here you should summarize the “Background,” “Literature,” or “Introduction” section of the article. What do we already know about this topic?

3.  Predicted results:

· Here you should outline the researchers’ hypothesis to the best of your ability. What did they think would happen in the study?

4. Experimental Method:

· Here you should describe the experiment in enough detail that someone who did not read the paper would be able to follow along. Imagine you were writing this description for your classmates, who might not have read your article. What are the most relevant parts of the study method?

· Hint: It is not necessary to include specific numbers in this section under most circumstances.

· Independent variable(s):

· Dependent variable(s):

5.  Actual results:

· Here you should describe what happened in the study. What did the researchers find? Again, imagine you were describing this to someone who did not read the article. What are the most important findings?

· Like with your Methods section, it is not necessary to include specific numbers or p-values under almost all circumstances. No stats! 

6.  Prediction supported?

· Here you should describe if the researchers’ prediction(s) was supported. This should include specific Writing “yes” is not enough. J

7. Comments and critique: 

· In this section you should give the positives and negatives of the study as you see them. Remember that this is published work, so simply saying that there “weren’t enough participants,” or that there were “more men than women” in the study are not valid critiques. Remember also that critique is not necessarily negative!

8.  Relationship to real life:

· Even if you read a theoretical article, describe at least one real-world implication, consequence, or consideration of this finding.