Why explore research articles?  Understanding how and why statistics are used will only become apparent if you become familiar with current research in the world around you.  This is your new format for your weekly article analysis due EVERY OTHER Thursday by 11:59pm starting 10/22/09

Stage 1: The basics (2 points)  Every article write-up should include the title of the article (in quotations), the author(s), the publisher and the published date. Example: “In Poll, Public Wary of Obama on War and Health” By: Adam Nagourney and Dalia Sussman Published by The New York Times on September 25, 2009

Stage 2: Identifying the Research Question (3 points)  Why was the article written?  Sometimes it is hard to identify the research question in a published article, particularly if the author has not made it explicit.  Usually can be found in the introduction of the article where the author outlines the importance of research on the topic.  Research questions tend to arise from an examination of other people’s work that can be found in research journals and textbooks.

Stage 3: Describe the Population (2 points)  EVERY study has a population otherwise it wouldn’t be a study  We don’t study nothing something must be studies and that is your population!  If the population is not specifically stated, you must ‘read between the lines’ and identify it for yourself; usually the sample description will help you.  Population does not just have to be people!

Stage 4: Describe the Sample Size (2 points)  The sample size is a group that is looked at that is a representation of the population.  If a sample size is not identified in the article, YOU must state what YOU think a good sample size can be for this study.

Step 5: Identify the variables (4 points)  State the specific variables that were examined: gender, race, age, poll questions (agree, disagree, no comment) etc.  Identify each variable as quantitative (dealing with numbers) or categorical (grouping).

Step 6: Explain the results (2 points)  In a sentence or two, state the findings of the study.  What is the answer to the research question?  Did they find the answer?

Step 7: Categories the study (3 points)  Decide if this study is a Descriptive or Inferential Study  Give reason for your decision.  Remember: Descriptive: describes or summarizes the characteristics of the data set ○ Results include: mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance and range Inferential: used to test hypothesis and make inferences about a sample to a larger population.

Stage 8: Conclusion (2 points)  What can be concluded from this article?  What can the reader keep for thought?  Should there be further investigation in this area?

Bi-Weekly Article Analysis  Due EVERY OTHER THURSDAY by 11:59pm.  Must be typed.  Total of 20 points each  Counts as a test grade  Minus 5 points for each school day late.  Minus 3 points without the attachments of the article (link or hard copy)  Total of 20 points each  Articles cannot be more than one month old. FIRST ONE DUE 10/22/09