Outline of a Research Article

Use the questions below as prompts for your outline. You do not need to answer every question, as some questions may not apply to the article you chose. The questions are listed as a means to help you generate ideas as you work on the critique.

1. Introduction and core story elements
   1. What is the overview of the purpose of the study and the problem discussed?
   2. Is the problem clearly stated?
   3. Was the problem clearly supported with literature?
   4. What are the research questions?
   5. Are the questions clearly stated?
2. Evaluate the literature reviewed
   1. What literature was reviewed to support the purpose and need for the study?
   2. What concepts or themes emerged?
   3. Was the literature relevant?
   4. What exactly did the literature state to support the problem statement and question?
3. Theoretical framework or conceptual framework
   1. What framework did the researchers use?
   2. What are the key variables?
4. Method
   1. What research method and design was used?
   2. Was the method and design well described?
   3. What was the sampling plan?
   4. How many participants?
   5. Who are the participants?
   6. What were the data collection methods?
   7. How was the data analyzed?
5. Conclusion
   1. What were the limitations?
   2. What were the strengths?
   3. What are the future research suggestions?