Brief Article Review Guideline

1. Citation: Include full title, all authors (last name, initials), full journal title, year, volume
number, and page numbers.
2. Summary: Present summary of essential contents and main ideas
3. Study purpose: Was the purpose and/or research question stated clearly? A clear
statement of purpose or research questions helps you determine if the topic is important,
relevant, and of interest to you.

Does the author clearly define a research problem or topic?

Is its significance explained? Are core issues or research variables identified?

Is specialized terminology usefully defined?
4. Was relevant background literature reviewed? A review of the literature should be
included in an article describing research to provide some background to the study.

Does the author provide an adequate literature review?

Does it discuss current research on the problem, and help to situate the author’s
own research?

Are the research objectives clearly stated? Are hypotheses or specific research
questions identified?
5. Methodology

Does the author clearly identify the research methodology and any associated
limitations of the research design?

Are participants described, including the method of sample selection if
appropriate?

Are instruments adequately described, including issues of appropriateness,
validity and reliability?

Do any evident biases or ethical considerations arise in relation to the
methodology?

Are the methods for measuring results clearly explained and appropriate?
6. Results

What are the author's major findings and conclusions? Have these been supported
by the author's analyses, arguments, findings or evidence? Has the author
overlooked anything?
7. Discussion

Do the research results validate the author’s conclusions and/or recommendations?
8. References

Are references given (footnotes or bibliography)? What is the size of the reference
section? Are the references recent, important? How are the references used: for
support, rebuttal, etc.?
9. Suggestion for future research: Does the author suggest areas for further research or
discussion?
10. Synthesis with class material: how the article is related to the course contents?