SOC110: Introduction to Sociology Dr' Sarah Goodrum

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SOC110 Introduction to SociologyDr. Sarah
Goodrum

• Tips for Critical Reading

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Reading a Research ArticleAdapted from Babbie,
Earl. 2001. The Practice of Social Research, 9th
Ed. Belmont, CA Wadsworth Publishing

• What is the basic research question or problem?
  (try to state in one sentence)
• What was the hypothesis, if any?
• What were the independent and dependent variables
  in the hypothesis?
• Was a particular theoretical framework (or
  sociological theory) used? Which one?
• Would a different framework/theory yield
  different findings?
• What prior research was reviewed? Was the review
  adequate?
• Describe the methods used (e.g., population,
  sample selection, questions/measures, analysis
  techniques).
• Were the methods used appropriate? Were they
  ethical?
• What were the findings? (try to state in 2-3
  sentences)
• Did the findings confirm or refute the
  hypothesis, if any?
• Did they confirm or refute previous research? How
  so? To what extent?
• How can the findings be used to understand other
  populations or problems?

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Critical Thinking

• first, understand the material (before critiquing
  it)
• then, examine and evaluate it
• dont just accept what you read at face value
• look for any underlying assumptions
• ask yourself, if the findings would be different
• with a different theoretical approach? how so?
• in a different time period or place? how so?
• with a different methodological approach (e.g.,
  population, sample selection, interview
  questions, analysis)? explain.