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Article Critique Assignment Instructions   Overview This assignment requires you to critically analyze a selected empirical study in a peer-reviewed journal related to Social Cognitive Development

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Article Critique Assignment Instructions

 

Overview

This assignment requires you to critically analyze a selected empirical study in a peer-reviewed journal related to Social Cognitive Development. Students will complete 3 Article Critiques throughout this course.

 

Purpose: These Article Critiques will allow you to apply principles of critical thinking and analyze common errors in logic as they evaluate research literature, which is a key element of the student’s program outcome. Hence, you will learn how to aptly consume and disseminate empirical research. These assignments can serve as a building block to help students explore literature related to their Final Research paper.

 

Instructions

1. Select an empirical study in a peer-reviewed journal (published in the last 3 years).
2. Systematically read and challenge the article’s validity. Ask scholarly questions, such as:
   1. What was the purpose of the study?     
   2. What variables were under consideration and how were they measured?
   3. Was it a valid form of measurement, why or why not?  For example, if they used standardized measures did they have good reliability and validity?
   4. What about the method used, was it most appropriate why or why not?
   5. What are some criticisms of the study?  What were some strengths of the study?
   6. What are some threats to internal and external validity?
   7. What group or groups can the findings be generalized to?
   8. What are potential future areas of study?  Identify a gap in the literature!

 

3. Each Article Critique must be 4 pages, including the following:
   1. Introductory Paragraph: Summarizes the purpose of the research, including the research questions/hypotheses. Explain the overall method, results, and conclusions (in 2–3 sentences).
   2. Body: Provide critique of the article. Noting the below strengths and weaknesses :
      1. Research questions/hypotheses
      2. Research methodology including design, measures (think about different types of validity, reliability), participants (think about generalizability), procedures, ethics, etc.
      3. Results including analyses, clarity of findings, tables/graphs/figures.
      4. Discussion including whether the results validate the author’s conclusions/interpretations/recommendations, the major limitations, and what other alternative explanations for the findings might exist.
   3. Conclusion: Include your judgment on the adequacy of the research, given the preceding scholarly questions and critique.
4. The instructor will be focusing on the content of this assignment writing and less on proofreading. You are expected to proofread each assignment for clarity, grammar, and spelling. In addition, the Liberty University Online Graduate Writing Center can help with overall writing and flow.

 

Format:

Each Article Critique must be in current APA format and include:

1. Include a title page, abstract, references page(s), in addition to 4 pages of critique.
2. Proper APA use of subheadings.
3. Avoid first and second person pronouns and be sure to use past tense when describing completed research.

 

 

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via Turnitin.