Analyzing Quantitative Articles (Worksheet)
Phillip Olt
Read your assigned quantitative article, and then work through the questions below. If describing something specific from the article, you must identify / quote it with a page number citation (not just “yes”).
Example
Question 1: Did the author(s) provide a review of the literature (even if it is not named as such in a heading)? If so, was it timely (i.e. majority of citations from within 5 years of publication)? Did the author(s) effectively make the case that there was a gap in need of study and how this current study fits that gap? How so, or how not?
Answer: Yes, the authors did provide a review of the literature (pp. 117-119), though it filled a combined role with the introduction. Only 5 of 27 citations came from within the five years prior to this article being published. While that is not absolutely problematic, I wish that they had situated this study more directly within current research literature. Yes, I do believe they effectively made a case for this study in the “Present Study” section on p. 119. Prior studies had not considered the racial identity of the teachers involved, which this present study investigated.
1. Did the author(s) provide an introduction to their article (even if there is no heading labeled “Introduction;” note the abstract is not an introduction)? If so, did it effectively introduce the reader to topic and hook the reader to continue reading? How so, or how not?
[Insert Response Here]
2. Did the author(s) provide a review of the literature (even if it is not named as such in a heading)? If so, was it timely (i.e. majority of citations from within 5 years of publication)? Did the author(s) effectively make the case that there was a gap in need of study and how this current study fits that gap? How so, or how not?
[Insert Response Here]
3. What approach did the author(s) use to study their topic (exs. survey, experiment, secondary data analysis etc.)? Did the author(s) discuss strengths and weaknesses of that approach (generally)? Was a purpose, hypothesis, and/or research question(s) clearly presented?
[Insert Response Here]
4. Describe the participants in this study. How were they selected? Do they seem appropriate and adequate for the study? How so, or how not?
[Insert Response Here]
5. How did the author(s) analyze the data? How did they then present their findings?
[Insert Response Here]
6. How did the author(s) address the quality and integrity of the article (exs., validity, reliability, significance)?
[Insert Response Here]
7. Did the findings / results directly achieve the purpose and/or answer the research question(s)? Were they clearly presented so that you thoroughly understood them? How so, or how not?
[Insert Response Here]
8. Did the discussion / conclusion include applications for theory, research, and/or practice? If so, do you believe they were appropriate? Why, or why not?
[Insert Response Here]
9. What did you learn from the content of the article, and how could that be applied to your current or future desired professional situation?
[Insert Response Here]
10. Rate the author(s)’ methodology as a whole number from 1 (horrible) to 5 (awesome) and explain why.
[Insert Response Here]
