Evaluating Research

Throughout this semester, you have learned how to conduct scientific research, and in doing so, you have developed your skills in evaluating research. To demonstrate your scientific evaluation skills, you will need to read at least one of the scientific articles listed at the end of these instructions and then write a 2-page paper by August 3rd. By completing this assignment, you can receive up to an additional 1 point added to your final grade. You may only review one article for this assignment, you cannot receive more than 1 point for completing this assignment. 

To receive extra credit:

1. Read one of the following articles conducted by faculty members in our department.
2. Write an approximately 1-page summary of the article you read. For example, what were the researchers testing? What did they find? What conclusions did they draw? Do not copy and paste parts of the article or restate what is in the abstract. This is your opportunity to show that you actually read and understood the article. You do not have to prove that you understood the whole thing (some of the technical language may be beyond your current knowledge level), but you do need to show that you read it. Therefore, focus your paper on what you did understand.
3. Write an approximately 1-page response to the article using the information you have learned in this course. For example, what ethical issues may the researchers have had to consider in their study? What other hypotheses may they have considered? Are there other ways they could have tested their hypotheses? What follow-up questions would you like to test? How would you test those follow-up questions?

Paper guidelines 

• Papers should between approximately 2 double-spaced pages in length. Papers should be typed with 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins. You should cite the article you are using with APA-style citations, and you should make sure to include your name in the right-hand corner of the assignment. If you reference anything you have learned in this class, please cite the module from which you learned that information (e.g., Module 5).