Comparing research article claims
Paper details:
3-5 pages long
The overall goal of this paper is to experience how academic journal articles compare to popular press articles. This will help in critically evaluating what you read about psychological claims.
To meet this goal, compare the academic journal article to the popular press article you wrote about in Writing Assignment 1. To do so, briefly restate if you thought the claim made in the popular press article was credible. Then, identify 3 meaningful differences between the academic journal article and the popular press article. Identify differences with substance that would require you to read the academic journal article to find (for example, research criteria presented in the academic journal article that was not presented in the popular press article). Don’t write about differences that are obvious or wouldn’t require you to read the article to find (for example, don’t write about length, vocabulary, and charts/tables/figures). Discuss if the 3 meaningful differences you identified support or change your original position about the credibility of the popular press article’s claim. Also, answer the questions: Why do researchers include what they do in academic journal articles? How does the information help with replication and the believability of the claim? Lastly, Cite your articles in APA format. 3-5 pages long
Audience:
You are writing this paper for the editor of the popular press article source.
Helpful Hints:
Thoroughly read the popular press article’s Introduction, Methods, and Discussion sections. Skim over the Results section. In an academic journal article, you can expect to see:
Introduction: A review of previous research on the topic, and a rationale for the current study
Methods: A description of the study’s participants and methodology
Results (just skim this section): Information about the data collected, statistical analysis of the data, and the results of the analyses
Discussion: Interpretation and implications of the results, as well as the study’s limitations and suggestions for future research
References: A list of resources the researchers cited
Criteria Ratings Pts
Restate your original claim of whether a psychologist would find the claim credible? 5 pts
1st meaningful difference between academic & popular press 15 pts
2nd meaningful difference between academic & popular press 15 pts
3rd meaningful difference between academic & popular press 15 pts
Did the 3 meaningful differences you identified support or change your original position about the credibility of the popular press article’s claim 10 pts
Why do researchers include what they do in academic journal articles 5 pts
How does the information help with replication and the believability of the claim? 5 pts
Spelling, grammar, mechanics, & flow. In-text citatiocgons & references 5 pts
