Research Methods Article Reading Worksheet II.

1. Identify the key parts of the article.

[A] Research Question [found @: ___________________________________________ ]

[B] Hypothesis [found @: _________________________________________________ ]

•	Is the hypothesis a possible answer to the research question?

•	Is the hypothesis supported by research?

[C] Independent Variable(s) [found @: ______________________________________ ]

exp1	name	levels	operationalized by…	
IV 1			

IV 2			

IV 3			

exp2	name	levels	operationalized by…	
IV 1			

IV 2			

IV 3			

Check for the independent variable(s) in:
research question	hypothesis	

[D] Dependent Variable(s) [found @: ______________________________________ ]

exp1	name	range of possible values	operationalized by…	
DV 1			

DV 2			

DV 3			

exp2	name	range of possible values	operationalized by…	
DV 1			

DV 2			

DV 3			

Check for the dependent variable(s) in:
research question	hypothesis	

[E] Major Result Patterns [found @: ______________________________________ ]

Main effects and interactions. Are either present? For each main effect or interaction that is present, write a sentence indicating what the main effect or interaction means.

•	Do any of these patterns match a hypothesis or rule out a hypothesis? Explain.

[F] Conclusions (work backwards)

•	To what degree does the strength of the conclusions match the strength of the results?

•	Are there any limitations of the conclusions due to the methodology?

•	What do the conclusions suggest about answers to the research question and specifically the hypothesis as an answer to the research question?

2. Consider the methodology of this article as an operationalization of the research questions.

[A] Imagine what would the subject have to do. Does this seem like a reasonable test of the research question? Why or why not?

[B] Are there any possible confounds?

3. Think of the article as an argument:

[A] How did the researchers control for other possible explanations of their data?

[B] Consider the strategic use of figures, graphs, and tables. Do you have the information that you need? Is this the right information for making these arguments? Why or why not?

4. What is the likely impact of this article on the field? Why did the editors publish this?