Discussion Section 5: Summarizing an Empirical Article

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Discussion Section 5 Summarizing an Empirical
Article
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What is an empirical article?

• Definition A study in which the results are
  based on evidence, not just theory
• Hypotheses
• Scientific experiment or observation
• Data generation

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A Comparison

• Empirical Article
• vs.
• Literature Review
• Case Study
• Book Chapter

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Components of an Empirical Article

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• References

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Abstract

• Brief, comprehensive summary of the study
  (120-word limit)
• Include key words

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Introduction

• Review the current studys background
• Introduces the study question
• (1) Why is this question important?
• (2) How does it relate to previous findings?
• State the current studys purpose and rationale

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Method

• Describes how the study was conducted
• Divided into subsections
• -Participants
• -Measures
• -Procedure

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Results

• Discusses statistical procedures
• Summarizes collected data
• May include tables and figures
• Include results that run counter to your
  hypothesis

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Discussion

• Evaluate and interpret implications of the
  results
• Importance of your findings
• Limitations of your study
• Directions for future research in the area

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References

• Must include all citations from the paper
• APA Style Examples
• Journal Article, One Author
• Simon, A. (2000). Perceptual comparisons
  through the minds eye. Memory Cognition, 23,
  635-647.
• Journal Article, Two or More Authors
• Becker, M. B., Rozek, S. J. (1995). Welcome
  to the energy crisis. Journal of Social Issues,
  32, 230-343.

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References

• Journal Article, Six or More Authors
• Eisen, J. L., Mancebo, M. A., Pinto, A., Coles,
  M. E., Pagano, M. E., Stout, R., et al. (2006).
  Impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder on
  quality of life. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 47,
  270-275.

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Paper Criteria
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The Assignment

• Summarize an empirically based journal article
• Article addresses a form of treatment for
  psychological disorders covered (will be covered)
  in class
• No more than 3 pages

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Paper Should Include
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Summary of Article (10 points)

• Why the researchers felt that the study was
  necessary and what their hypotheses were at the
  start of the study
• A description of the participants and how study
  was conducted, including materials used
• Results of the study not necessarily the
  statistics but in your own words what the authors
  found
• What the authors describe as limitations of the
  study and recommendations for future research

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Strengths and Weaknesses of the Study (10 points)

• This is in your own opinion
• Use specific examples to support your opinion.
• Include ideas you have to improve such a study
  for the future. What could the next steps be for
  this type of research?

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Official APA Citation (2 points)

• The general APA format for referencing journal
  articles can be found in the APA Style Manual

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Overall Writing Skills (6 points)

• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Spelling
• Clarity
• If in doubt, take your paper to the campus
  writing center (110 English-Philosophy Building,
  335-0188, http//www.uiowa.edu/writing)
• DO NOT PLAGIARIZE

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Include the article (2 points)

• Attach a copy of the journal article you
  summarize to your paper

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About Plagiarism

• Key point Give credit to the source if you are
  borrowing someones ideas or writing (e.g.,
  provide citation, use quotation marks)

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Tips

• Allow enough time
• Scan the article first, and then read for depth
• Take notes while reading (try taking notes using
  your own words to avoid plagiarism)

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Paper is due in Lecture Monday, November 12, 2007