CRITERIA FOR ANALYZING JOURNAL ARTICLES Author’s use of primary sources (the original work of literature like Hamlet)? Author’s use of secondary sources (articles written about Hamlet)?
Are there any biases?
Explain them in great detail. Does the author define terms?
Is the thesis clearly stated and easily understood? Is the author’s argument carried throughout the paper? Are there any tangents where the author goes off track?
Has the author provided evidence effectively?
Is the thesis supported throughout the article? Is the article convincing?
If not, why not? If yes, why is it effective? Focus on the author’s analysis. Is the analysis effective?
Why? Why not? Look at the examples the author has provided. Are they effective? Why? Why not? Look at the explanations the author provides. Are they effective? Why? Why not?
Look at the descriptions the author provides. Are they effective? Why? Why not? Has the author explained thoroughly any graphs, charts, prints, etc.? Has the author explained thoroughly any case studies?
How were they conducted: set up, control group, region, population, etc.? How were the statistics obtained? What were the sources, the population studied, and in what time frame, etc.? Any other aspect of the article you would like to discuss?