Research Article Analysis (t-Test and/or Correlation)
This assignment follows the same rationale and format as the
previous Research Article Analysis, with which you are already familiar.
To receive credit for this analysis, the selected article must
include one (or more) of the
following analyses:
1.
One sample t-test
2.
Independent samples t-test
3.
Related samples t-test
4.
Correlation matrix with the interpretation of
coefficients
Log on to our online library databases, and locate an
online, full-text, peer-reviewed, empirical research article related to your
current field of study or future job (testing children with austism/school psychology). The research article must be a first-hand
report of research and cannot be a meta-analysis or review article. The
research in the article must collect data from human research participants.The research article must include an introduction, method, results, and discussion section to be appropriate for this. assignment. A case study, single-subject
design, or other article type that does not present quantitative data analysis
(i.e., the procedures we are learning in this course) is not appropriate for
the assignment. All articles submitted for the Research Article Analysis
assignments should include the statistical analyses requested that we are computing in this course (i.e., at least one of those stated above).
After identifying and reading the article, respond to the
following items in essay format. These topics will help you identify and apply
course content from the text to actual research in your area that is important
to you. This process will assist you in connecting statistical concepts to
information and research that will guide your future practice.
First, at the top of the page, write the citation for the
article in APA style (see pages 174-205 of your APA style manual). (-5 points
if not provided)
Second, upload an electronic copy of the article with your
assignment so I can review the article. Assignments will not be graded without
the original article to accompany the
analysis.
Next, as the body of your essay, state, define, and explain
the following information as it pertains to your specific article. Write your
response in essay form using complete sentences that are logically connected.
Do not create a bulleted list of sentences. You may slightly reorder the points
below to improve the flow of your essay.
Do not use direct quotes or close paraphrases from the
article. Direct quotes, close paraphrases, or plagiarized work will receive no
credit. The Research Article Analysis will be reviewed for originality prior to
grading.
1.
Introduction
a.
Thesis Statement
i. Create
an introductory summary that explains the purpose of the research without
referring to the assignment itself (i.e., focus on the variables, not on the
fact of writing a paper)
b.
Background Research
i. Provide
a brief summary of existing research in the area and why the current research
is being conducted based on the literature reviewed in the article
c.
Definition of Variables
i. Define
the independent and dependent variables under investigation in the research
project
ii. Describe
the independent variable(s) (IV)
1.
If the IV(s) is a manipulated variable, explain
the manipulation/ treatment.
2.
If the IV(s) is a grouping or categorical
variable, state the levels and explain how the participants were grouped.
iii. Describe
the dependent variable(s) (DV)
1.
State the scale(s) used to measure the DV
2.
Describe how each scale is scored
3.
Explain what the numbers (values) on the scale
mean (e.g., not at all to very much, low levels to high levels of a variable).
4.
State whether the DV(s) is either continuous or
discrete
d.
Statement of Research Questions/Hypotheses (this
information should be directly related to the background research summarized)
i. Describe
the question the researcher is attempting to answer
ii. State
what the researcher predicts will happen
2.
Method
a.
Participants
i. Describe
relevant characteristics of the sample in the study (e.g., N, age of participants, number of each
gender, conditions that qualified participants to be selected)
b.
Procedure
i. Briefly
summarize the process that research participants experienced (i.e., order of
steps taken to conduct the study)
3.
Results
a.
Identify and describe the research design (e.g.,
correlational, experimental, nonequivalent groups, pre-test, and post-test)
b.
State the primary statistical tests used for
analyses (e.g., correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, regression, chi-square)
c.
Review and summarize the statistical information
provided to help the reader understand the shape of the distribution of scores
on the DV(s) (e.g., mean, median, mode, standard deviation, graphs, statement
of skew)
d.
In terms of the variables (IVs and DVs),
summarize the research results (e.g., explain whether the treatment worked as
expected, state whether the researcher’s initial prediction was supported or
refuted, explain whether groups of participants were meaningfully different)
i. Explain
how the data observed in the study relate to the research questions/hypotheses
4.
Discussion
a.
Summarize the importance of the results of the
study to the field
b.
Explain how the results extend what is known
about the topic
5.
Critical Analysis of Research
a.
Describe limitations of the current project with
suggestions for improvement (e.g., items that could be modified to improve the
study)
b.
Describe the population to which the study
results would generalize (i.e., the goal of the research is to generalize the
results from the sample back to the population; discuss whether the sample is
representative of the targeted population)
c.
Explain follow-up research that is needed to
improve understanding in the area
d.
Explain how you can use the results of the
research in your future work