Choosing Journal Articles This workshop will... Help you decide which articles to use in your written assignments or research project Show you how to read abstracts to assist with your choice Introduce two types of journal articles Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice The Plan… Understanding different types of articles Searching for articles Breaking down abstracts The benefits of breaking down abstracts Share the plan with attendees and give out note-taker HO 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

1.Understanding different types of articles Research Review primary source secondary source 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 2.Searching for articles Identify key words/phrases Discuss whether embedded or bolt-on study skills sessions more effective for first year undergraduate students. Search for articles using terms found Analyse your results and look for synonyms Search again using different combinations Journal – key questions to ask Title – words and phrases such as content analysis gives method Abstract – breakdown sentence by sentence to find what each gives you Decision – is this an article I want to use 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Breaking down abstracts Abstract content A summary and includes: The overall aim and specific objectives of the research  The problem or task being addressed  Methodology and methods  Key findings  Main conclusions and key recommendations (if appropriate) Journal – key questions to ask Title – words and phrases such as content analysis gives method Abstract – breakdown sentence by sentence to find what each gives you Decision – is this an article I want to use 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Steps in the process Gender Roles on Tween Television 3.Breaking down abstracts Steps in the process Gender Roles on Tween Television Journal Check to ensure is reputable Title Key words and phrases Abstract Sentence by sentence 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Breaking down abstracts 1This content analysis of gender role portrayals in 49 episodes of 40 distinct United States tween television programs aired in 2011 examined two genres: teen scene (geared towards girls) and action-adventure (geared towards boys)./ 2This programming is of interest because tweens are a lucrative market, they watch more television than any other age group, and television programs are created specifically for them./ 3Furthermore, members of this special group are in an important developmental stage in which social and intellectual schema are established and identity and gender are explored./ 4The analysis focused on the numbers of male and female characters in both genres, and the gender role portrayals of characters in terms of appearance, behaviours, and personality characteristics in the two genres./ 5Results show that females, compared to the U.S. population, were underrepresented in the action adventure genre, but that the gender distribution in the teen scene genre mirrored the male–female distribution in the U.S. population./ 6Overall, compared to males, females were more attractive, more concerned about their appearance, received comments about their “looks.” /7Females were presented similarly in both genres./ 8Overall, males were shown in varying levels of attractiveness, and were portrayed more stereotypically in the action adventure genre./ 9Exploring these results through the lenses of cultivation theory and social cognitive theory shows that tween viewers could potentially develop narrow conceptions about their range of possibilities in the world./ 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Breaking down abstracts What you have learned Whether the research was primary or secondary in nature The focus of the research Why they have researched this subject Methodology and method The results The theories employed to interpret findings 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Activity 1: Juvenile Murder v Juvenile Violence 3.Breaking down abstracts Activity 1: Juvenile Murder v Juvenile Violence Journal Trust me on this one too Title ? Abstract In pairs/small groups, break it down sentence by sentence 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Breaking down abstracts 1Juvenile homicide is a social problem that has remained a central focus within juvenile justice research in recent years. 2The term juvenile murderer describes a legal category, but it is purported to have significant scientific meaning. 3Research has attempted to conceptualize adolescent murderers as a clinical category that can be reliably distinguished from their nonhomicidal counterparts. 4This study examined 33 adolescents adjudicated delinquent or awaiting trial for murder and 38 adolescents who committed violent, nonhomicidal offenses to determine whether the two groups differed significantly on family history, early development, delinquency history, mental health, and weapon possession variables. 5The nonhomicide group proved more problematic on many of these measures. 6Two key factors did distinguish the homicide group: these adolescents endorsed the greater availability of guns and substance abuse at the time of their commitment offenses. 7The significance of this finding is discussed, and the implications for risk management and policy are reviewed. 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Breaking down abstracts Sentences 1-7 Juvenile homicide is a social problem. Juvenile murderer as a term. Differences between juvenile offenders Number of participants and parameters of research More difficult backgrounds of one group Distinguishing factors Implications 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 3.Breaking down abstracts Sentences 1-7 Literature review Method Results Discussion and implications This is what the sentences are telling you (and probably in this order): Content of the literature review Methods Results Discussion and implications 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Benefits of the break down process 4.The benefits of breaking down abstracts Benefits of the break down process Saves you time Focus on what you are looking for Results Methodology Research topic Participants Once you have selected your journal articles, you can look for common aspects between them and look for particular sections you are particularly interested in, such as the results. In this way, you build up your literature ‘bank’ for use in any assignment, but particularly for literature reviews. 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice References American Public University System (2014) What's the difference between a research article (or research study) and a review article? http://apus.libanswers.com/a.php?qid=153014 Accessed 11 February 2014.   Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2012) Essential study skills: the complete guide to success at university. 3rd edition. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Cottrell, S. (2013) The study skills handbook. 4th edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. DiCataldo, F. and Everett, M. (2008) Distinguishing juvenile homicide from violent juvenile offending. In Shon, P.C.H. (2012) How to read journal articles in the social sciences. (24-26). London: Sage Publications Ltd. Gerding, A and Signorielli, N. (2014) Gender roles in tween television programming: a content analysis of two genres sex roles. Sex Roles. Jan 2014. Vol. 70 (1/2) 43. Farlex Inc (2014) The Free Dictionary. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/content+analysis Accessed 20 May 2014. Shon, P.C.H. (2012) How to read journal articles in the social sciences. London: Sage Publications Ltd. 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Mon-Fri Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser. Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Advice Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our website www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointments. How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk Telephone: 01274 236849 http://www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills/induction/ 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Any questions? Produced by Louise Livesey December 2015 19/11/2018 Academic Skills Advice