Structural Analysis of a Journal Article
Problems in Research Methodology
Texas
State University
Patricia M. Shields
First Structural Analysis
Overall
Instructions
1. Double space.
2. 12 point font.
3. Use subheadings
4. Do Not right
justify
1. The instructor will provide
an empirical article that has an explicit hypotheses.
2. Write an abstract of
the article in 100 to 200 words. Make sure and include a discussion of the
unique research purpose/question, methods used to achieve the purpose (or
address the question) and key findings (relate the findings to the research
question). There should be a paragraph for each section(purpose, method,
findings).
3. In a coherent essay, answer
the following questions about the theory in the article.
a.
Specify what the article is trying to accomplish.
b. Specify two hypotheses developed in the article
c. How do the hypotheses help the author(s) accomplish their objectives ?
d. Identify or name the most basic building blocks of the hypotheses [there
should be at least two].
The
basic building blocks of the hypotheses are sometimes referred to as the
concepts or elements of the hypothesis.
e. How are the basic building blocks of the hypotheses related? (positive,
negative or no direction specified).
4. In a coherent essay, answer the following questions about the methods used
in the article.
a.
What
research technique or methodology was used?
b. What is (are) the dependent variable(s)? In your discussion identify the
correspondence between the dependent
variable and the relevant "basic building block or element" of
the hypothesis identified above. In other words, for each dependent variable
what basic concept in the Hypothesis does the dependent variable measure?
[repeat for each hypothesis]
c. What is (are) the independent variable(s)? In your discussion identify the
correspondence between the independent variable and the relevant "basic
building block or element" of the hypothesis identified above. In other
words, for each independent variable what basic concept in the hypothesis is
measured? [repeat for each hypothesis]
d. Explain how the variables are operationalized. [repeat for each hypothesis]
5. In a coherent essay answer the following questions about the statistical
methods used in the article.
a.
If available, specify the mean(s) of the dependent variable(s). Interpret the
mean [repeat for each hypothesis].
b. If
available, specify the mean(s) of the independent variable(s). Interpret the
mean [repeat for each hypothesis].
c.
What statistical test was used to test the hypothesis? [repeat for each
hypothesis]
d.
What evidence was used to test the hypothesis? Did the evidence support the
first hypothesis (give concrete numbers)? Did the evidence support the second
hypothesis (give concrete numbers)? [repeat for each hypothesis]
e.
Discuss the connection between the statistical evidence and the article
intention.
Texas
State University-San Marcos is a member of the Texas State University System.