Do they clearly state a hypothesis (or more than one)? Does their hypothesis make sense based on the background they provided?

Research Critique Paper
MUST BE WRITTEN ON AN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH STUDY ARTICLE
The paper will critique an empirical study in terms of criteria to be specified in class. The student is expected to apply knowledge of research methodology in a critical evaluation of the article. The paper will be (a) between 5-7 typewritten pages, double-spaced, one-inch margins, and (b) proofread for correct grammar and spelling. Papers are required to follow APA format. A handout in class will describe this assignment thoroughly. The final study for the critique requires approval from the instructor.

In addition to minimum requirements specified above and content criteria to be discussed in class, papers will also be assessed based on the following:
(a) depth and quality of critical analytic skills (i.e., evaluative and analytic skills)
(b) demonstrated understanding of concepts and principles (i.e., application of concepts/principles in critical analyses)

An “A” paper is very well written (two, if any spelling or grammatical errors), well thought out and conceptualized; well organized; well documented and fully answers the questions posed in the assignment. The “A” paper goes beyond just the straightforward points of the assignment and demonstrates a mastery of the assignment with some creativity. 10% or less quoted citations.
The “B” paper is well written, well organized, provides documentation and answers the questions posed in the assignment. The “B” paper completes the assignment but does not go much beyond the stated requirements. About 20% quoted citations. A few grammatical or spelling errors.
A “C” paper is not well written, not well conceptualized and does not fully answer the questions posed in the assignment. Noticeable grammatical or spelling errors. 30- 40% or more quoted citations.
A “D” or less paper indicates an insufficient mastery of the skills necessary for understanding the link between research and practice, and will require a meeting with the professor. Numerous grammatical or spelling errors.

Questions for paper
Introduction/Background
Summarize what you think the article is about in a nutshell (not copy pasted from the abstract)
Is there research question clear? Does it make sense/seem reasonable?
Do they clearly state a hypothesis (or more than one)? Does their hypothesis make sense based on the background they provided?

Methods
What is their basic design type (true experiment, quasi, correlational, etc.)?
What is their basic data type (e.g., surveys, observations, biological testing like blood, etc.)
What are their variables of interest? And do they have a clear “IV” and “DV” (depends on the design type)?
How are they measuring their variables (in a nutshell)? Do you think that the way they are measuring them makes sense? Or do you have a critique of their operationalization? Do you think they are reliable? Valid?
What is their sample? Is their sampling strategy reasonable, or is it making some external validity (generalizability) issues?
Do you see any internal validity issues in their study design overall?
Are there any variables you think they should have measured but did not?

Analysis/Statistics
This is the hard part for you guys. But use some common sense just to look at some of the numbers that you can. It is OK to say “seems reasonable to me!” ahhaha.

Discussion/Conclusions/Implications
Does their conclusions make sense overall, given their method and what they say they found?
Do their conclusions seem reasonable, or are they overstating what they found to make it more important? Making it sound too broad? Too narrow?
Do they link their conclusions to a reasonable “so what?”

Overall
Was it clearly written? Did you find a lot of details were missing? Was there something you wished they had discussed but had not?

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