Critical reading
© – Adapted by N. Johnston from TWC Research, Writing & Presenting Summer Learning Institute, 2009
Research reference:
Summary
What is the research question, hypothesis,
purpose, or proposed research?
Is this article a literature review or a research
study?
Comments
How is the research question or argument supported? Does it
rely on a particular theory or approach or methods?
Supporting points: What evidence or key research
supports the question or research?
How are the key points connected? Is the style popular,
nonacademic or academic? Are recommendations made in the
conclusion?
Kinds of evidence: What evidence is used to
support the question, hypothesis or key points? Is
other prior research rejected or expanded?
Is the supporting evidence appropriate or adequate?
What sources do the authors use or rely on? Are
they primary (new research) or secondary sources?
Is this a review of literature or a new study?
Is the article provide new ideas or approaches or questions?
Does it advance or add
Overall, what contribution does the article make to the field or issue? What claims does/do the author(s) make about
the research? What implications or new questions does it raise? What might challenge the conclusions?
Tip: More on reading and note-taking from the Writing Centre: http://ctl.utsc.utoronto.ca/twc/research