Grading Rubric for Journal Article Analysis/Critique
Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to help students develop skills
in determining which information is most important when reading published
research and learn how to write a research report/proposal. Other than
developing a research proposal and/or conducting a research study, the best way
to learn is to read what others have done. Below is the outline for completing
this assignment. Using the Research Process Flow model and the checklist in
Chapter 13 of the text, complete the following outline to analyze the research
article.
Include the APA formatted reference for the article at the top of
the first page.
I.
Summary of the Article (5 pts)
Provide a general overview of the article. Consider addressing the
rationale for the study (Supporting evidence); research question(s) and purpose
of the study; research design (who is the sample? how is the question
answered?); important findings (what did they find out?).
Do NOT overemphasize any area/section in the summary of the
article. The idea is to give the reader a general sense of the information in
the article, while highlighting key points/elements that would draw in readers
to locate the original article should they be interested.
II.
Evidence-based Social Work Practice (5 pts)
Here you will provide a detailed description of whether this study
results in data that an inform evidence-based practice, be sure to support your
conclusion. Note the article may include previous literature in the “literature
review” section of the article (usually the first few paragraphs of the article
and usually NOT labeled as “literature review”) indicating the data/results
indicate this informs evidence-based practice, but you may need to find
additional resources (i.e. scholarly journals) to indicate if in fact this is
evidence to inform practice.
III.
Research and Statistical Method Use (5 pts)
Here you will provide detailed description of both research design
(i.e. one-shot group survey design, group research (true-experimental;
quasi-experimental, pre-experimental); and statistical method (descriptive
statistics; ANOVA; T-Tests, Multiple Regression etc). Provide examples when
necessary
IV.
Critique of Research and How or IF the
Intervention/Research is important to social work practice. (5 pts)
Here you will provide your OPINION (do not use first person)
supported by evidence (i.e. scholarly sources) as to whether the article and
research is (a) rigorous/trustworthy, (b) conducted in an ethical manner, and
(c) takes into consideration any cultural aspects. Provide examples when
necessary.
V.
Quality of writing ( 5 pts):
(0-2 pts) – Substantial APA errors (> 6 errors). Poor quality,
not indicative of graduate level work
(3-4 pts) – Some APA errors (3-4). Good quality indicative of
graduate level work
(5 pts) Little to no errors. Exceptional quality indicative of
graduate level work.
