Checklist for critiquing a research article

Title Author
Introduction
1. Read the statement of purpose at the end of the introduction. What was the objective of the study?
2. onsider the title. !oes it precisely state the subject of the paper?
". Read the statement of purpose in the abstract. !oes it match that in the introduction?
#. hec$ the se%uence of statements in the introduction. !oes all information lead directly to the purpose of
the study?
&ethods
'. Review all methods in relation to the objective of the study. Are the methods valid for studyin( this
problem?
). hec$ the methods for essential information. ould the study be duplicated from the information (iven?
*. Review the methods for possible fatal flaws. Is the sample selection ade%uate? Is the e+perimental
desi(n appropriate?
,. hec$ the se%uence of statements in the methods. !oes all information belon( in the methods? an the
methods be subdivided for (reater clarity?
Results
-. .crutini/e the data0 as presented in tables and illustrations. !oes the title or le(end accurately describe
content? Are column headin(s and labels accurate? Are the data or(ani/ed for ready comparison and
interpretation?
11. Review the results as presented in the te+t while referrin( to data in the tables and illustrations. !oes the
te+t complement0 and not simply repeat0 data? Are there discrepancies in results between te+t and tables?
11. hec$ all calculations and presentation of data.
12. Review the results in the li(ht of the stated objective. !oes the study reveal what the researcher
intended?
!iscussion
1". hec$ the interpretation a(ainst the results. !oes the discussion merely repeat the results? !oes the
interpretation arise lo(ically from the data0 or is too far2fetched? 3ave shortcomin(s of the research been
addressed?
1#. ompare the interpretation to related studies cited in the article. Is the interpretation at odds or in line
with other researchers4 thin$in(?
1'. onsider the published research on this topic. 3ave all $ey studies been considered?
1). Reflect on directions for future research. 3as the author su((ested further wor$?
5verview
1*. onsider the journal for which the article is intended. Are the topic and format appropriate for that
journal?
1,. Reread the abstract. !oes it accurately summari/e the article?
1-. hec$ the structure of the article 6first headin(s and then para(raphin(7. Is all material or(ani/ed under
the appropriate headin(? Are sections subdivided lo(ically into subsections or para(raphs?
21. Reflect on the author4s thin$in( and writin( style. !oes the author present this research lo(ically and
clearly?