Assignment: Research Article Critical Review

Presented by: Mian Hassan Aslam

Registration No: SP19-BPY-049
Course: Psychological Testing-2
Submitted to: Ma'am Tayyba Hanif
Submission Date: 31-March-2022
COMSATS University Islamabad
Article Reviewed:

Farah Iqbal, Ghazala Khan,Syeda Jasiah. (2013). Maladjustment, Life Satisfaction and Optimism
A Correlation Study. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention,
17-26.

The article 'Maladjustment, Life Satisfaction and Optimism, A Correlation Study by

Farah Iqbal, Ghazala Khan and Syeda Jasiah is a correlation study that seeks to examines the
correlation between maladjustment, life satisfaction and optimism. The article was published in
International journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention. It utilizes Rotter's Incomplete
Sentence Blank (RISB), Life Satisfaction Scale and Life Orientation Test to measure the
correlation between the variables. The article assumes that there will be an inverse correlation
between scores on RISB and life satisfaction scale and there will be an inverse correlation
between the scores of RISB and optimism scale. However, there will be positive correlation
between life satisfaction and optimism. The participants of the research were asked to fill 3
questionnaires (which included the Satisfaction with Life Scale, Life Orientation Test and then
Rotter's Incomplete Sentence Blank)

For the purpose of the research Convenient Sampling Technique was utilized and a
sample of 24 students were selected in the age of 18 to 25 years old. Equal representation were
given to both men and women in the sample size i.e. 12 men and 12 women. The sample was
selected from the University of Karachi. The data was collected and compiled. After application
of statistical method of Pearson's product moment correlation, it was found that the first
assumption was not verified but the second and third assumptions were verified .Meaning that
the result of the study showed that there is no negative correlation between maladjustment and
life satisfaction whereas there is a positive correlation between life satisfaction and optimism. As
for our Last hypothesis, the results indicated that there was negative correlation that was found
between maladjustment and optimism in our sample.

The study measured some really important variables i.e. the relationship between
maladaptation, life satisfaction and life optimism is quite unique and relevant topic that peaks the
readers interest. The article is well written i.e. it is easy to follow and it has an organized
structure which enables the reader to follow the researchers thought pattern. The study has also
well-defined operational definitions of the variables that enables the reader to understand and
limit the scope of the general terms such as optimism, life satisfaction and maladaptation. The
research article was simple and lack much complexity.

One of the major drawbacks of the article was the selection of a sample size. In order to
form generalizability for the research article the sample size of 24 is extremely insufficient. We
can't create the generalizability with such a small sample. Also, the purpose of selecting
convenient sampling technique was not properly justified. Another problem with the research
article is that the article is establishing a correlation, but it is not properly focusing on the
confounding variables that may be affecting the results. Another critique I found in the article
that was even accepted by the authors themselves is that 'RISB interpretation can be confusing
and may lead to subjectivity from the scorer' (Farah Iqbal, 2013) This could effect the result of
the study. Another limitation of the Research article is that it was observed during the study that
many of the respondents were having trouble in understanding the meaning of the scale items,
especially in the RISB. Therefore, efforts should be made to develop an Urdu alternative to the
RISB or to translate the existing scale into Urdu so that more people can understand it. Since the
RISB is a projective technique, some objective measure of maladjustment should also be used
alongside for more valid and accurate results. Test in a non-native language may cause many
problems as there is a risk that participant may have filled the RISB forms without really
understanding the statements.