Format & Evaluation of

Research Article
Role and Purpose of Empirical
Research
 To provide answers to questions about
behavior by using the scientific method.
 Descriptive (to “describe’)
 Correlational (to “predict”)
 Causal-(to “control, explain causation”)

◦ Experimental
◦ Comparative
Process of Empirical Research

 Identify and define research problem and

questions.
 Formulate hypotheses on basis of theory,
prior research and/or hunches.
 Design research study to collect data bearing
on questions.
 Conduct the research.
 Analyze the data (through statistical
methods).
 Interpret the data in light of the research
questions.
Standard Format of Research
Articles
 Abstract
 Introduction: Context, Research Problem,

Review of Literature
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
Introduction
 Background - the reasons the author(s)
conducted the study; theoretical framework
 Statement of Purpose - the goal of the

research (the destination); the problem

statement
 Hypotheses - “educated guesses” about

relationships or differences
Methodology
 Participants (sample) - who the subjects are,
how obtained/selected
 Materials (equipment, apparatus, measuring

instruments) - what was used, quality of

measuring instruments
 Procedures - how study was conducted; what

subjects did or what was done to them

Results
 Technical summary of the statistical analyses
used:
 In text
 In tables
 In figures
Discussion/Conclusions
 Non-technical interpretation of results
 Linking results to original purposes and

hypotheses
 Why the results turned out the way they did
 Identifying the study’s limitations
 Suggesting steps for further research
Evaluating Research
 Goal: to be able to critique a research article
by identifying the strengths and weaknesses
of each component of the research

 “Tools for Evaluating Research Reports”

Evaluating Introductions:
Literature Review
 Literature review: to place current study in
context of what is known/not known
◦ Nature of literature cited
◦ Researcher bias
◦ Rationale/need for study
◦ Theoretical framework
◦ Link of framework to research questions
◦ Sufficiency of information
◦ Usefulness of review
Evaluating Introductions: Research
Questions/Hypotheses
 Research questions and hypotheses drive
the study
◦ Clarity of problem
◦ Sufficient rationale
◦ Contribution to existing knowledge
◦ Link to theoretical framework and lit review
◦ Assumptions explicit/implicit
◦ Operational definition of terms
◦ Statement of hypotheses
Evaluating Methodology
 Sufficient detail of procedures (treatment),
design and instruments
 Full description of population
 Full description of sampling method
 Quality of measures used
 Obvious weaknesses in design
Evaluating Results
 Appropriateness of statistical techniques
used
 Clarity of presentation of results
 Adequacy of presentation of results
Evaluating Discussion/Conclusions
 Consistency of conclusions with findings
 Appropriateness of generalizations
 Discussion of implications of findings
 Discussion of limitations of study
 Alternative explanation for findings
 Linkage of conclusions with theoretical

framework, research questions

Thanks