Critical Reading Strategies: Overview of Research Process Week 3

Critical Thinking A rational examination of ideas, inferences, principles, conclusions Uses criteria for critiquing Clarifies Considers content appropriateness Questions own thinking Uses skepticism

Critical Reading Active, intellectual process where the reader uses interpretation and objective assessment of written material Identify concepts Clarify concepts Question assumptions and rationale Determine supporting evidence

Four Levels of Critical Reading Preliminary understanding: skimming Title Abstract Identify main theme

Critical Reading Levels (cont) Comprehensive understanding: Variables and concepts Definitions Relationships Terminology Main idea or theme Restate in own words

Critical Reading Levels (cont) Analysis understanding: Understand parts Begin to critique Summarize in own words each part Synthesis understanding: Put together Explain relationships Critique

Critiquing A process of objectively and critically evaluate content for scientific merit and application to practice, theory, and education. Uses criteria: research process Find strengths as well as weaknesses

Abstract Brief (50-250 words) Comprehensive (succinct) Research purpose Research questions and/or hypotheses Methodology Results Implications for practice or future research

Research Problem or Purpose Researcher presents a picture of area researched Abstract Introduction Aims Conceptual framework

Purpose Why study was done is defined Introduction End of Literature Review End of Conceptual Framework

Literature Review and Framework Presents main concepts investigated Review of Literature Literature Review Theoretical Framework Related Literature Background Conceptual Framework

Hypothesis, Problem or Question Quantitative Research Problems, hypotheses, questions Qualitative Research Questions and purposes Found: Under separate headings Introduction Background Results or Findings

Design Blueprint of study Found How purpose and problem were studied Differs by qualitative or quantitative Found Procedures Methods

Sample Who are the subjects and how were they selected? Found: Type Size Found: Methods Methodology Subjects Sample

Instruments: Measurement tools Validity Measurement instrument measures what it is supposed to measure Reliability Measurement instrument is consistent in measures.

Procedures and Data Collection How data or information collected How measures or instruments used Found Procedures Data collection

Data Analysis and Results Procedures for analyzing data Statistical tests Descriptive/inferential tests results Procedures to analyze themes, concepts, observational data Found Results Findings Method

Discussion of Findings Ties parts together for a whole New findings Unexpected findings Found Discussion

Implications, Limitations, and Recommendations Based on findings Suggest applications for practice and education Self critique Found Conclusion and recommendation Discussion Implications

References Resources used in research or article Primary Secondary Support for material presented