Mary E. Brown, Ph.D., Professor
Information Science

Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515

Department of Information and Library Science
Fax: 1.203.392-5780 / Phone: 1.203.392-5781
Toll Free: 1-888-500-SCSU, then press 4

Unit VIII:
Evaluating the Research Reports of Others

This week we will read and critique the report of one classmate. Please identify a paper you wish to critique then post as a Reply to that paper a note claiming it.

CRITIQUE OF THE FINAL DRAFT OF A CLASSMATE'S PAPER:

Each student should critique (in a narrative form) the final draft posted by one classmate. You should use the criteria suggested in Unit VII under Lecture Notes. Please address each criteria. A summary of these criteria are:

1. EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION
   Are tables, figures, and statistics presented effectively?
2. IMPLIED READER
   Does the paper seem to have a specific audience and is the entire paper written to that audience?
3. TITLE
   Does the title summarize the main idea of the paper simply and with style?
4. ABSTRACT
   Is the abstract a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of the paper? Hint: The abstract should contain the following:
   • the problem under investigation, in one sentence if possible
   • the subjects, specifying pertinent characteristics, such as number, type, age, sex
   • the experimental method, including the data-gathering procedure
   • the findings, including statistical significance levels
   • conclusions and the implications or applications
5. INTRODUCTION
   Does the introduction present the specific problem under study and describes the research strategy?
6. METHOD
   Does the method section describe in detail how the study was conducted?
7. RESULTS
   Does the Results section summarize the data collected and the statistical treatment of them?
8. DISCUSSION
   Does the discussion evaluate and interpret the results and their implications, especially with respect to your original hypothesis or goal?
9. REFERENCES
   Do the reference citations document statements made about the literature? Do all citations in the text appear in the reference list? [See the instructor's website for a brief guide to APA style for citations and references.]
10. APPENDIX
    Is appropriate use made of the appendix?

Begin each critique with the citation, for example:

Brown, M. E. (2001). Crossing the divide: Empowering the Have-Nots in the Information Age. Unpublished manuscript, Southern Connecticut State University, Department of Information and Library Science, New Haven.]

1. Complete critique of classmate's paper and post (to appropriate thread)
2. Continue revising your own research paper (and informative abstract). If you have identified a journal to which you can submit your final paper. Follow the instructions to authors found in that journal in making final revisions to your paper. Include a cover letter to the journal editor asking that your manuscript be considered for publication.
3. Begin work on self-critique (see Unit IX)