Reading and Analyzing Research Articles
Activity Title: How to Read and Critically Evaluate a Research Article
Objective:
Students will independently learn to identify, summarize, and critically evaluate the essential components of a peer-reviewed research article.
Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes
Instructions
Step 1 – Download & Skim (5–7 minutes)
- Select one (1) of the peer-reviewed research articles located in the Week 1 Reading Content Folder.
- Skim for structure: locate the Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion sections.
- Think of how you would describe the purpose of each section.
Step 2 – Section-by-Section Review (15 minutes)
- Read each section more closely.
- For each section, answer the following in your notes:
- What is the primary purpose of this section in general?
- What are the key points in this specific article?
- Is the information clear, well-supported, and aligned with the research question?
Step 3 – Synthesis (5–7 minutes)
- Write a brief paragraph (3–5 sentences) summarizing how the sections connect to tell the research “story.”
- Highlight the flow: from background → question → methods → results → interpretation.
Step 4 – Critical Reflection (5–7 minutes)
Independently reflect in writing:
- What is one strength of this article?
- What is one limitation or gap you noticed?
- Would you cite this article in your own work? Why or why not?
Deliverables to Submit in the LMS:
- One-sentence summaries of each section
- Section-by-section notes (purpose, key points, clarity/support)
- Short synthesis paragraph
- Critical reflection responses
Tip:
Keep your notes in a reusable template—this will become a quick reference for future reading and literature review writing.
I've attached a MS Word Version Template for you to complete this assignment. Download this document, complete the assignment and then upload it in this assignment link for grading by the due date, Sunday, Midnight.