(420 points down, 580 to go)

• You will select one research article from among the four offered and critically analyze it using the questions provided to you.
• ≈ 10 pages (really, whatever it takes)
• 100 points
• Due March 25 th (2 weeks from today)

• For the paper you selected for the Critical
Review assignment, you will prepare a onepage structured abstract.
• 1 page (no more, no less)
• 50 points
• Due April 8 th (3 weeks from today)

• Scope: First half of a complete research study
– Sections included: Title Page, Abstract, Introduction,
Review of the Literature, References.
– Sections not included in your Lit Review: Methods,
Results, and Discussion.
• 10 pages (including the Title Page, Abstract, and Reference section)
• 150 points
• Due April 15 th (5 weeks from today)

1. APA 6 th edition, not 5 th edition
– Use the materials provided on the class website.
– Follow the guidelines from previous lectures and other handouts. The APA Guide is the final word.
2. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation
– Your audience may not be capable of judging the substance of your work so they will judge it by its form
(something they do know about). They are acting on the assumption that sloppy spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting are highly correlated with sloppy thinking. Are they wrong?

1. Do you have a clear and concise question?
– Your question is the title; the answer is your Conclusion
2. Does your review adequately cover the previous research?
– Find major studies, > 10 relevant studies from primary
(peer-reviewed) sources.
3. Does your review cover the actual findings?
– Describe the outcomes and most importantly, analyze/critique the research methodology.
4. Is your review up-to-date?

5. Does your review summarize and analyze previous studies?
– It is very important to analyze each study. Is the review organized logically by topic?
6. Does your review briefly summarize minor studies and discuss major studies in detail?
7. Is your review of major studies related explicitly to the current research problem?
– You’re writing for the naïve reader, make clear the relevance of each study you review.

8. Does your review help to establish the significance of the question?
– This is a good way to start your paper (Introduction) and finish your paper (Conclusion).
9. Does your review provide an answer to your question?
– The purpose of a lit review is often to answer a question. Other times it forms the foundation for a research study where you collect and analyze data to answer your question. The last (short) paragraph of your paper should be the answer to your question.

• Mean of 84% with a median of 87%
A: 33%
B: 39%
C: 14%
D/F: 14%
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
F DD D+ CC C+ BB B+ AA A+
Grade