At this point in the course, students have the basic tools they need to critique a journal article. Please select one of the three articles I posted for this week's module on Canvas.Read through the a

Guidelines for Evaluating Journal Articles

Statement of the Problem

• What is the problem under study?

• Is the problem clearly stated, identified, and understandable?

• Is the importance of the problem clearly presented?

• Is the research question or hypothesis clearly stated?

Research Approach

• Is the research strategy/approach clearly presented?

Literature Review

• Does the literature review include a thorough coverage of the problem?

• Are the findings and their sources clearly referenced?

• Does the literature review use current references? If older references are used, are they important links to the history of the problem?

• Does the literature review provide information on how concepts should be defined and measured?

Variables

• When applicable, are the dependent and independent variables clearly identified?

• When applicable, are the dependent and independent variables defined and operationalized?

Sampling

• What is the population of the study?

• What sampling method was used?

• Is the sampling method appropriate for the research approach?

Study Design

• Is the design of the study clearly presented?

• Is the design appropriate for the research approach?

Data Collection

• Are the data collection methods clearly specified?

• Are the data qualitative, quantitative, or both?

• What procedures were used to ensure reliability and validity of the data?

• Are there additional sources of data that could have been used?

Data Analysis

• When present, are tables and graphs understandable?

• Is there an orderly and clear interpretation of research findings?

• For quantitative data, were appropriate statistical tests used?

• For qualitative data, is the method of analysis clearly described?

• Do the conclusions follow logically from the data analysis?

• Are the data sufficient to warrant the conclusions?

Ethical Issues

• Are the consequences for human beings considered?

• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects?

• Are the participants protected from harm?

• Is there assurance that the data will be kept confidential?

• Who is given credit for the research?

Human Diversity Issues

• Is the research question of interest/apply to diverse groups?

• Is the data collection method relevant for the group(s) under study?

• Is the sample diverse?

• If there are comparison groups, what is their membership?

• Is the subject involved in the research project beyond simply being a subject?

• Does the categorization of data maintain diversity?

• Is the research report written in an exclusive or stereotypical manner?

• To whom were the results disseminated?

• Was there maximum participation from many groups in the research?

Limitations of the Study

• Are the limitations of the study clearly stated?

• If the limitations are not clearly stated, what limitations can you, the reader, assign to the study?

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Are the conclusions substantiated by the research findings? Are the conclusions significant and relevant to the problem and population under study?

• What are the recommendations for future studies? Does the study identify implications for social work?