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?