Guide for Reviewing a Research Article
A. Problem: Why this study needed to be done! (Researcher’s words or summarized.)
1. Clearly and concisely stated?
2. Agrees with the title?
3. Educational significance?
B. Purpose: What this study was going to do about the problem!
(Researcher’s words or summarized.)
1. Clearly stated?
2. Concisely stated?
3. Agrees with problem and title?
4. Limited to researcher’s capabilities and resources?
C. Objectives: Specific actions to be accomplished to achieve the purpose.
(Researcher’s words or summarized.)
1. Achievable? [Research Questions (Answerable?) or Hypotheses (Testable?)]
2. Inclusive? (Includes enough objectives to accomplish purpose)
3. Exclusive? (Does not include objectives unrelated to purpose)
4. Will help solve the problem?
D. Review of Literature: What has been said, written, or done by others concerning this problem (List section subtitles or topics included by the researcher or which should have been included if the review was not subtitled.)
1. Well organized? Section subtitles? Summarized?
2. Quotes and paraphrases appropriate?
3. Blended thought trains?
4. Reference citations correct (APA Manual)?
5. Practical reasoning included?
6. Theoretical reasoning included?
7. Similar studies cited?
8. Direct and indirectly related literature included?
9. Complete?
E. Procedures: Methods used to gather and analyze information needed to achieve the purpose. (Researcher’s words or summarized.)
1. Research design adequate?
2. Data gathering procedures clearly explained?
3. Instrument and development described?
4. Population and/or sample adequate?
5. Situation explained?
6. Statistical techniques described?
F. Findings: A report of the results or information gathered by the study
(In your words.)
1. Objectively reported?
2. Tables and/or charts well designed? Stand alone? Clear titles?
3. Narrative clear? Stands alone?
4. Statistical results correct?
G. Summary: A short, clear summarization of the findings. (In your words.)
1. Short summary?
2. Clear summary?
3. Summary table included?
4. Objectively reported?
H. Conclusions: The meaning of the findings. (In your words.)
1. A conclusion included for each pertinent finding?
2. The basis for the conclusion given?
3. Conclusions related to the literature included?
4. Conclusions related to logic included?
5. Conclusions logically stated?
I. Recommendations: Action recommended based on the conclusions. (Meaning of the findings; Summarized by you.)
1. A recommendation included for each pertinent conclusion?
2. The basis (rationale) for the recommendation given?
3. Recommendations related to further research included?
4. Recommendations clearly stated?
J. List of references: A bibliography of references cited in the study.
1. Format consistent (APA Manual)?
2. All references included were cited in the study?
3. Current as well as older references included?
4. From a variety of sources? Books, Journals, Graduate studies?
K. Overall Critique of the Study:
1. Overall Strengths
2. Overall Weaknesses