Answer Questions

Research Article Interpretation Assignments

Purpose:

This assignment will help you understand how to read and understand research articles.

RAI 2, due: Thursday, 3/10/16 at 1:30pm

McDonald, L., Wardle, J., Llewellyn, C. H., Johnson, L., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Syrad, H., & Fisher, A. (2014). Sleep and nighttime energy consumption in early childhood: a population-based cohort study. Pediatric Obesity, 10, 454-460. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijpo.12006/epdf

Directions

· In a 3-page essay, answer all of the following 8 questions based on the article provided.

· Use your own words to discuss the answers using information from the article.

· Cite in APA format, and include an APA format reference page. Do not include the questions.

· Use information from the article only to answer the questions. Be sure to paraphrase.

1. What is the research problem?

2. Describe the hypothesis/hypotheses stated by the author(s) (or objective if hypothesis not stated).

3. Describe the study design.

4. A. Who were study participants? B. Describe the exclusion criteria, if any.

5. Briefly give the study results.

6. Did the study results support the authors’ hypothesis/hypotheses? Why or why not?

7. What was/were the limitation(s) discussed by the author(s)?

8. A. What conclusion(s) did the author(s) make? B. Describe the suggestions about how the research findings can be applied. If no suggestions were given, in 3rd person describe how you think the findings could be applied.

Form and Style Guidelines for all Written Assignments

Your paper should:

· be written in narrative, paragraph format

· be typed and double spaced in Times New Roman 12 point type, left justified and have 1 inch margins (APA format)

· include citations and references in current APA format

· be submitted by the start of class on the due date

Grading Rubric for Written Assignments

Papers will be graded according to the rubric described below. Assessment will be made not only of the content but also the quality and clarity of your writing.

score ~grade Content criteria

50% A Outstanding response with superior supporting examples or evidence; unusual insights, creative and original analysis, reasoning, and explanation; superior mastery of content; far beyond the minimum required for the assignment.

43% B Good, solid response that uses excellent supporting examples or evidence; excellent reasoning and explanations; goes beyond the minimum required for the assignment.

40% B- Good, solid response that meets minimum required by assignment. Reasoning and explanations are adequate.

37% C Response is accurate but cursory, and does not meet the minimum required for completeness; some inaccuracies or reasoning flaws; response is too general, lacks specific evidence.

30% D Response doesn’t effectively address the question; response fails to support assertions with data or examples; major flaws in reasoning; explanations are unclear; displays inadequate understanding of content.

0<30% F Response is missing or not submitted, or does not address the question.

score ~grade Writing criteria: in keeping with Department policy, papers will be returned requiring to be re-written if more than 5 grammatical or spelling errors are identified. An automatic -10% of grade will be assigned.

50% A Meets criteria for 43%, plus demonstrates superior grammatical correctness and sense of personal style. Effortlessly readable prose.

43% B Very effective organization of paragraphs and paper; interesting, varied sentences; good grammar (usage, punctuation, etc.); few spelling mistakes; does not read like a first draft.

39% C+ Reasonably effective organization of paragraphs and paper; serviceable prose; numerous errors of grammar or spelling; reads like a first draft.

35% C- Structurally disorganized; paragraphs lack topic sentences or are developed ineffectively; awkward sentence structure; poor grammar; poor spelling.

0<35% D- Similar to 35%, but even harder to read.