Papers 1 & 2: Critique of Research Articles
30 Points (15 points each)

Overview

As scholars using published research to bolster your arguments, it is important that you become a discerning reader. The purpose of these two papers is to give you opportunities to analyze and criticize published work both in terms of the contribution the work makes to the knowledge base and methodology. We intend that the feedback we provide will help you to hone your criticism skills.

Task

1. Read the two articles assigned for the critique. Each article is related to the theory we are studying and has been selected from recent, top-quality journals. Carefully read the articles with an eye toward understanding the contribution the work makes to the knowledge base and the methodological soundness of the work. You will be assigned to write a critique of one of the two articles.
2. Write a critique of the article in terms of its usefulness to scholars. Include in your critique a discussion of the structure of the paper; the value of the research question(s) addressed; the appropriateness of the methodology used to address the question; and the reasonableness of the claims made regarding the conclusions. Be certain to begin your critique with an introduction that draws the reader into your paper and ends with a clear thesis for your paper. The thesis must establish your burden of proof for the paper.
3. Conclude your paper with a re-statement of your thesis and a brief discussion of the implications of your critique in terms of policy and practice.
4. Your critique should be approximately 7 double-spaces, typewritten pages.