Reading Journal Articles Critically

Louise LiveseyAcademic Skills Adviser

This workshop will:

− Introduce you to the idea of critiquing and analysis tools− Show you how to apply one model of reading analysis− Highlight how to find gaps in author’s logic and points to critique

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The Plan…

1. Understanding critiquing tools 2. Applying the Code to

introductions 3. Identifying gaps or points to

critique in research articles

This booklet extensively adapts from Shon (2012)

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Critiquing tools

A. understand how research is done and what it has found out

B. assess the quality of research by questioning what has been written

1.Understanding critiquing tools

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2 examples of critiquing tools

• Quantitative research: • Coughlan et al (2007)

• Qualitative and quantitative: • Adapted from Caldwell et al (2011)

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1.Understanding critiquing tools

Dr. Philip Shon’s Coding System

• 14 acronyms

• Right hand margins

• Full code in booklet

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1.Understanding critiquing tools

Race, gender, and the newsworthiness of homicide incidents

• Paragraph 1: SPL, GAP• Paragraph 2: CPL, GAP• Paragraph 3: RAT• Paragraph 4: WTD

Flow SPL GAP CPL GAP RAT WTD

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2. Applying the Code to Introductions

Wheeled Mobile Robots

• Paragraph 1: SPL 3rd and 4th ; CPL last, GAP part of last: ‘for which…relevant question.’

• Paragraph 2: Rat 1st and 5th, WTD 6th, SPL 2nd and 3rd

Flow:

SPL CPL GAP SPL RAT WTD

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2. Applying the Code to Introductions

Activity 1: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

• SPL: 2nd and 3rd• CPL: 4th• GAP: 4th

• Rat: Last: ‘attempts to bridge this divide’• WTD: Last: ‘addresses…attempts…

reviewing’Flow:SPL CPL GAP RAT WTD

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2. Applying the Code to Introductions

• MOP: Missed Obvious Point to earlier literature

• POC: Point of Critique re any gaps or limitations

• RPP: Relevant Point to Pursue to use for your own purposes

3. Identifying Gaps or Points to Critique

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Bastin, G., Campion, G, and D’Andréa-Novel, B. (1996) Structural Properties and Classification of Kinematic and Dynamic Models of Wheeled Mobile Robots. IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation. Vol 12: 1, February., pp.47-62 [online] Available at: http://perso.uclouvain.be/georges.bastin/paper37.pdf [Accessed 17.7.2014]Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., and Taylor, G. (2011) Developing a Framework for Critiquing Health Research: An Early Evaluation. Nurse Education Today. Vol. 31 (No. 8) pp. e1-e7 Coughlan, M., Cronin, P., and Ryan, F. (2007) Step-by-step guide to critiquing research – Part 1: quantitative research. British Journal of Nursing. Vol. 16 (No. 11) pp. 658-663. Gruenewald, J., Pizarro, J., and Chermak, S. (2009) Race, gender, and the newsworthiness of homicide incidents. Journal of Criminal Justice. Issue 37. pp. 262–272. [online] Available at:file:///C:/Users/lclivese/Desktop/Predicting%20Crime%20Story%20Salience.pdf [Accessed 17.5.2014] 

References

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Pollard, C. (2013). Physiotherapy Management of complex regional pain syndrome. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy. 41(2). July, pp. 65-72 [online] Available at: http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1661dca1-fb3d-4e3a-b91e-3a0b80676ae9%40sessionmgr198&vid=2&hid=125 [Accessed 17.7.2014]  Pritchard, D. and Hughes, K. (1997) Patterns of Deviance in Crime News. Journal of Communication. Issue: 47(3). Summer. pp.49-67 [online] Available at:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1997.tb02716.x/pdf [Accessed 17.5.2014] Shumaker, D. and Prinz, R. (2000) Children Who Murder: A Review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review. Vol. 3 (2) pp. 97-115 [online] Available at:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FA%3A1009560602970#page-1 [Accessed 3.6.2014] Shon, P. (2012) How to Read Journal Articles in Social Science. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

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References

Academic Skills Advice Service• Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us

a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays).

• Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.

• Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.

• Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment.

• How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk Telephone: 01274 236849

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Any questions?

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