Psychology

Formatting Requirements:

 APA (American Psychological Association) Format

 Type-written using Times New Roman 12 font

 Double-spaced

 2-4 full pages (this does not include the cover page or reference page)

 NO QUOTES

 Any additional material (sources, tables, figures, etc.) must be done in APA format (See

 Purdue OWL website [link on Blackboard] or the instructor for help with APA)

 Use the following letter/numbering system as headings:

1. Why I chose this article – (10 points) One typed paragraph describing why you selected this

particular article. Be sure that your thoughts are clearly organized and written in complete

sentences with attention to use of correct grammar and punctuation. Also, be sure that you

clearly explain why you selected the particular article and psychological disorder examined

in the study.

2. Background–(10points)

3. This is generally the information which led to the current research. Typically this describes

similar research and explains why the current research was necessary. Please include the

outcome of at least one previous study cited in your article that relates to or supports the

research article you are reviewing.

4. Hypothesis – (10 points)

5. This will be clearly stated in any scholarly article – it may be found in the abstract,

background or methods sections. This section answers the question, “What are they

expecting to happen?”.

6. Methods – (35 points)

7. In complete sentences (clearly labeled with the numbers below) please provide a clear

written response for each item.

a. Number of subjects

b. How subjects were recruited

c. Procedures used & Description of “what the subjects did”

d. What were the variables? How did they measure each variable? (i.e. survey,

observer

e. rating, etc.)

8. Results (may also be labeled Findings) – (10 points)

9. What did they find? Specifically note whether the hypothesis was supported or not. Be

certain to analyze all variables.

10. Conclusion (may also be labeled Discussion) – (10 points)

11. This will be clearly outlined in any scholarly article. If you are studying applied research,

include any applications which answer the question, “How could this information be used

by the general population?” If your article is a basic research article, what potential uses

could this information have? In this section also includes what the authors believe are the

limitations of this study and the directions in which future research in this area could go.

12. Constructive Article Critique – (10 points)

13. Provide a short paragraph in which you critique the article. Be sure to comment on the

following:

14. 1. Provide your thoughts on how well (or poorly) the article was written, organized and

understandable to you as a lay person (non-expert) and why you are taking that position.

2. Provide one suggestion for improving the quality of the article. In other words, if you were writing the

article or conducting the research, what would you do differently and why? Be specific.

Article Review & Critique Paper Rubric

A. Why this article?

-One typed paragraph describing why you selected this particular article.

B-1. Background

-Info that led to research

-Explains why current research was necessary -Outcome of at least one previous study mentioned in

article

B-2. Hypothesis

-Explained what the researchers were expecting to happen

B-3. Methods

-Number of subjects in study

-How those subjects were selected for this study -Procedures used & Description of “what they did” -

What was measured (what were the variables?) -How they measured the variables

B-4. Results (aka Findings)

-What did they find?

-Was the hypothesis (or hypotheses) supported?

B-5. Conclusion (aka Discussion)

-Possible applications in real world -Potential uses or impact of this information -Limitations & future

directions of research

C. Contructive Article Critique

-How well was article written, organized, and understandable and why

-One suggestion for improving the article (what would you do differently?