What is an article analysis and how do you perform one? Article Analysis Introduction What is an article analysis and how do you perform one? Talk through the diagrammatic representation of 15/4. Every four quarters are grouped into one whole, and there are three quarters left over.

Article Analysis Introduction Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; Loftus; misleading information

Article Analysis Introduction Suggested practical: Looking at eyewitness testimony and its reliability in court, find one example of where there have been problems when convicting someone on the basis of eyewitness testimony and one example of where decisions have been made by the courts to try to make sure eyewitness testimony is reliable. Summarise the two articles separately. Then use knowledge of research in the field to comment on what the two articles have said. Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; Loftus; misleading information

Article Analysis Introduction How to Summarise: Read the whole thing first (or you can’t see the wood for the trees). Then go back and highlight the main points. Then list the key points (or draw a diagram) – Be brief. Then write a single, concise summary paragraph from your points. Make sure all key information is included. Make sure any irrelevant information is ignored. Acknowledge the source of the article at the end of the summary.  Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; Loftus; misleading information

Article Analysis Introduction Suggested Summary – Article 1: Article 1 describes a real case where after a rape the victim identifies her attacker because he was bald, shirtless and Hispanic. The police had formed a group of Hispanic men across the parking lot and asked the victim to identify her attacker, and the person convicted on her evidence was the only bald, shirtless man in the group. The victim chose that person when looking across a dimly lit parking lot and sitting in a patrol car (presumably not long after the attack). This was an impromptu line-up and there was no proper lighting. The article and the man’s lawyers claim that the line-up procedures were flawed and the man wrongly convicted because of this. The article mentions reforms in some USA State laws because of such flaws being highlighted, though it says that Florida is not responding to the claims of miscarriages of justice because of flawed line-ups. Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; Loftus; misleading information

Article Analysis Introduction Suggested Summary – Article 2: Article 2 shows how courts are responding to research findings in areas such as eyewitness testimony, where expert witnesses have used findings to throw doubt on the reliability of eyewitness testimony. Firstly, guidelines are suggested to make sure police can provide evidence about the situation at the time of the identification and, for example, what was said to the witness. This might help to show that there was no influence, for example, from leading questions. The guidelines in 2006 in one State at least became law. Police now have to give written evidence about the procedures at the time of the identification. If they cannot, then the identification is not admissible in the court. Key words: eyewitness testimony; memory distortion; Loftus; misleading information