Order Number 45471455714
Type of Paper
Essay Writer Classification Level
Undergraduate
Style of Writing
MLA/APA/CHICAGO/
Sources and References 5
Number of Pages
4
Paper Instructions
Review of An Empirical Research Article
This assignment is designed to give you practice in identifying and thinking critically about empirical (that is, original data-based) research articles. The following pages contain information on how to select an appropriate article, what to consider in reviewing this type of article, and some suggestions for format. The review you turn in should be between 1-2 pages, but should not exceed 2 pages. The article you select should have some relevance to the content of the course, so it should be on learning (broadly defined). Please note: Be sure to include a copy of the article you reviewed with your review.
Choosing Empirical Research Articles
- An empirical research article is one that reports findings from original research. A good empirical research article presents a detailed description of the methods, including the sample, data sources and collection procedures, and the way the data was analyzed.
- Empirical research articles differ fromposition articles that discuss the benefits of a particular instructional method, theoretical framework, or policy, even when these arguments are made by citing the literature.
- Empirical research articles differ from literature review articles. Literature review articles attempt to answer questions by discussing the existing available empirical research in a given topic. Literature reviews make extensive use of empirical research articles, compiling what is known about the topic. Review articles are useful for getting a general overview of the empirical research studies that have been conducted in the topic and for a sense of what the findings from these studies put together suggest about the topic. Good Review articles provide references of the most relevant empirical research in a given topic.
- Research reported in empirical research articles are primary sources of research. Always go to the primary source to verify the findings cited by a secondary source and make your own judgments regarding the validity and reliability of the findings.
- The best sources of empirical research articles are blind peer reviewed journals. While these are usually print-based, increasingly there are on-line electronic journals that are suitable. Books or chapters in edited books typically do not meet the same standards as journal articles. They typically provide broad coverage on a topic, without reporting on a specific study in detail. While some chapters may be reviewed, they sometimes require only the approval of the editor and thus do not go through very stringent reviews. Also, conference presentations and ERIC documents are not necessarily critically reviewed and should be avoided for purposes of this assignment. Popular magazines (Times, Newsweek) and newspapers (L.A. Times) are almost never acceptable sources for empirical research given that they do not follow standards of academic research. DO NOT rely on these for your research papers.
- Examples of blind peer reviewed journals in education:
See list of Top Journals in Ed Psych in Blackboard
Reviewing Empirical Research Articles: Issues to Consider
- Is the article clearly and concisely written?
- Does the article make its research intent clear? Are the questions reported on clearly stated? Are these questions contextualized to the broader research topic? Is the significance of the questions made clear? Are the important variables considered discussed in light of existing literature?
- Are the number of participants, their characteristics, and the way they were chosen adequately described? Is the sample consistent with the questions being asked? Have issues of language, gender, culture, and class been considered in choosing and describing the sample?
- Are the data sources (interviews, observation, surveys), the type of information sought from these, and the procedures in collecting the data adequately described? Are the sources of data appropriate for the types of questions asked?
- Does the findings section address all of the research questions adequately? Is there sufficient evidence provided to support the findings? Can you believe the findings?
- Are the implications of the findings discussed adequately? Can the discussion and the conclusions be traced to specific findings?
- Does the content of this empirical research article advance our understanding of the topic? Does it have important implications for policy? Does it provide clues for further research?
- As you consider the above issues and whether they were adequately addressed, keep in mind that most authors are given page limitations that must be observed. Consider whether the information you feel is missing is absolutely necessary or if it could have fallen into the category of issues often deleted due to lack of space. Weigh this issue in with the others as well.
Review Empirical Research Articles: Suggested Format
The following suggested format is not required. If you feel confidant in reviewing an empirical research article, feel free to use a different format. But keep in mind that reviews of research are a specific genre, requiring the analysis of specific elements of research and tailored to inform on the quality, relevance, and usefulness of an article and NOT to SUMMARIZE its contents.
Introduce the article: Provide the author and title of the article. Briefly describe what the author attempt to do (ex: this article shows the major factors involved in how teachers make instructional decisions) without summarizing the findings and discuss whether it makes an important contribution to the literature. The summary of the article should only be about a paragraph or so.
Strengths of the Article: Elaborate on the strengths of the article, noting any particularly interesting or innovative methodological strategies or ways of presenting the data. Be specific.
Weaknesses of the Article: Elaborate on the weaknesses of the article. Be specific, with an emphasis on constructive criticism. Provide a rationale for your perceived weaknesses and discuss ways in which such weaknesses could have been avoided or explained.
Overall Recommendation: Weight the strengths and weaknesses of the article. Does it still contribute to the literature in a meaningful way? Would you recommend it to others? Would you site this article to make a point in one of your own papers?
Review of Journal Article Criteria
1 pts – article is empirical
2 pts – covers strengths/weaknesses
2 pts – analysis
Distinguished (100%)
Proficient (85%)
Basic (70%)
Below Expectations (50%)
Non-Performance (0%)
Thesis Statement Raises the strongest objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is strongly grounded in research and logical reasoning. Raises a plausible objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is mostly grounded in research and logical reasoning.
Raises an objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is somewhat grounded in research and logical reasoning. Attempts to raise an objection to the thesis presented in the assignment. The objection is minimally grounded in research and logical reasoning.
The objection to the thesis is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions. Counter Argument Provides a strong, thorough rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal effectively demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and applies the principles of charity and accuracy.
Provides a rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal mostly demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and mostly applies the principles of charity and accuracy.
Provides a limited rebuttal to the objection. The rebuttal somewhat demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and somewhat applies the principles of charity and accuracy.
Attempts to provide a rebuttal to the objection; however, the rebuttal minimally demonstrates that the thesis can withstand the objection and does not apply the principles of charity and accuracy.
The rebuttal is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions. Conclusion Provides clear and concise closing remarks that comprehensively summarize the essay. The remarks consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem.
Provides closing remarks that summarize the essay. The remarks mostly consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem. The closing remarks are somewhat unclear.
Provides closing remarks that minimally summarizes the essay. The remarks minimally consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problems. The closing remarks are unclear and/or vague.
Attempts to provide closing remarks that summarize the essay; however, the remarks do not consider the broader controversy and/or further research that could offer additional insight into the moral solution of the business problem. The closing remarks are unclear and vague. The closing remarks are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.
Written Communication: Context of and Purpose for Writing
Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.
Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly. Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.
Organization and presentation of content are extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.
The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Control of Syntax and Mechanics
– Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.
Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.
Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.
The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Required Formatting
Accurately uses required formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.
Exhibits required formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. Exhibits limited knowledge of required formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all requirements.
Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of required formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as required style.
The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Word Requirement
The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of words. The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of words.
The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of words. The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of words.
The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.
Written Communication: Resource Requirement Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.
Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.
Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly. Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.
The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions. https://essaysolving.com/orders/ordernow