Analysis of an Empirical Research Journal Article

Review & Analysis of an Empirical Research Journal Article 
In this assignment you will apply the methodological concepts you have learned this semester to the evaluation of a research article by demonstrating your ability by specifically analyze and critique a peer reviewed journal article linking the procedures discussed in the article to the concepts taught in class. This shouldn’t be based on opinion, but rather linking specific elements in the article to the research and statistical concepts reviewed each week during the semester. 
There will be several elements graded in the paper as listed below. The analysis should be specific (avoid rambling) and demonstrate that you understand what you are saying regarding each element of the review & analysis. 
You can analyze the article by question (i.e. Question 1, Question 2, etc.). Include the question, followed by your analysis. Follow APA for margins, page numbering, and the reference. Provide a copy of the article for the instructor. 
Elements required and assessed in the analysis:
1. Choose an appropriate article for review. The article chosen for review should be an empirical peer-reviewed journal article of a health-related topic that is no more than 5 years old. Do not use secondary sources, magazines, or abstracts. Only a peer-reviewed journal article is appropriate.
2. Provide a concise and accurate summary of the article being reviewed & analyzed. 
3. Identify the type of research conducted in the article and the characteristics that support your identified research type (qualitative, survey, cohort, randomized controlled trial (RCT), cross-sectional, correlational research, experimental, quasi-experimental, single subject, case study, case-control study, other). 
4. Identify whether key elements are included. Identify whether key elements of the article are present in the article: appropriate title, key terms, abstract, introduction, purpose, rationale, research question/hypothesis, literature review, clear description of participants/subjects methods, results, discussion & references. 
5. Identify the main hypothesis and research question that is driving the research. The research question may not be specifically stated; you can use your analytic skills and infer what the research question is. Summarize how they are being tested. 
6. Operationally define the key variables measured. Give units and level of measurement. Provide inclusion/exclusion criteria if present. Discuss the impact the inclusion/exclusion criteria have on the measurement of the variables and the reasoning behind the criteria such as controlling for confounds (should be in the article).
7. Identify key elements of the methods section. Is there a strategy for conducting the investigation that you feel is clear and valid? Is the research design identified and is it appropriate for the study being conducted? Describe the population & sample. Does the sample size seem adequate to power the study? Identify the variables being studied, the data collection strategy, and the type of data collected. Is baseline data included? Does the study seem to follow APA style guidelines or another manual of style such as MLA, Chicago, or AMA? 
8. Explain the use of descriptive and inferential stats (should have both). Are there measures of central tendencies, variability, correlations, test statistics, etc? Are tables and figures included?
9. Critique choice of methods and stats, including the sampling methodology and sample size. Comment on any tools used for measurement as related to reliability and validity. Specifically discuss the statistical methods used and if they were appropriate for the variables analyzed. Include strengths and weaknesses of the analysis. Did the tables and figures add value to the article?
10. Explain the practical and statistical significance of the main results. 
11. Discuss how the article you reviewed & analyzed connects (or doesn’t connect) with everyday Health Science. 
12. Provide an overall opinion regarding the robustness of the article. Discuss whether the article controls for bias and confounding factors. Discuss strengths & limitations of the research. 
13. Provide a full reference for the article completed in APA format.
14. Provide the instructor with a copy of the article. 
Please see Grading Rubric on the next page
Final Project Grading Rubric
A Article 
 -  Appropriate article chosen for review. 
 -  Provided a concise and accurate summary of the article being reviewed & analyzed.
 -  Identify the type of research conducted in the article.
 -  Identified whether key elements are included. 3 points
B Research Overview
 -  Identified the main hypothesis and summarized how they are being tested.
 -  Operationally defined the key variables measured. Provided units and level of measurement. Provided inclusion/exclusion criteria if present. Discussed the impact the inclusion/exclusion criteria have on the measurement of the variables and the reasoning behind the criteria such as controlling for confounds.
 -  Identified key elements of the methods section. 8 points
C Statistical Analysis
 -  Identified key elements of the methods section.
 -  Explained the use of descriptive and inferential stats (should have both).
 -  Critique choice of methods and stats, including the sampling methodology and sample size. Comment on any tools used for measurement as related to reliability and validity.
 -  Explained the practical and statistical significance of the main results. 9 points 
G Application
 Discussed how the article you reviewed & analyzed connects (or doesn’t connect) with everyday Health Science. 
Discussed your overall opinion regarding the robustness of the article? Discuss whether the article controls for bias and confounding factors. Discuss strengths & limitations of the research.
Provided a full reference for the article completed in APA format. 
Provided a copy of the article for the instructor.
5 points
TOTAL 25 points