Lecture Conducting and reading research in health and human performance (4/e): Chapter 7 - Ted A. Baumgartner, Larry D. Hensley

Chapter 7 - Reading and evaluating research reports. This chapter includes contents: Disclosure of research findings, typical contents of research report, preliminary information, methods section, functions of discussion section, references & appendix,...

Chapter 7 Reading and Evaluating

Research Reports

Disclosure of Research Findings

Culmination of research process is the public  disclosure of results

– Article in professional journal

– Presentation at a conference

– Contractual research report

– Thesis or dissertation

Typical Contents of Research Report

Preliminary information

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

References

Appendix (if appropriate)

Preliminary Information

Title

– Length should be 15 words or less

Author information

Acknowledgments

Abstract

– May be as short as 150 to 200 words

– Succinct summary of research study

– Not required by all journals

Introduction Section

Typically contains 2 primary elements

– Background information

Acquaints reader with foundation and rationale for  conducting study

– Statement of problem

May also include the research hypothesis, although  less common today

Helps the reader understand why the study was  conducted

Methods Section

Usually contains information about

– Research participants

– Instrumentation

– Procedures

Data collection procedures Experimental treatments Data analysis procedures

Methodology and procedures are usually  described in detail

Results Section

That section of a research report in which the  researcher reports the results of the data 

collection efforts as well as the outcomes of the  data analysis

Usually includes consideration information from  the various statistical techniques

Normally would not include discussion or 

interpretation of results

Discussion Section

That section of a research report that contains 

an explanation of the results

Interpretation of the findings, culminating with  the conclusions

– Conclusions should relate back to research problem

Provides implications for professional practice  and recommendations for future research

Functions of Discussion Section*

Summarize the results

Interpret the results

Offer conclusions

Theorize

Provide recommendations

Suggest future research

References & Appendix

Listing of all books, articles, or other sources 

cited by the author

Format varies according to specific journal

Astute readers should carefully peruse the list of  references

Appendices are rare in published articles

– Questionnaires

– Tabular information

Critiquing a Research Article

Astute readers should be able to critically read  research reports and make informed judgments  about the quality of the research

Published articles vary considerably in quality

– Referred journals

– Non­referred journals

Criteria for Critiquing an Article

Because of the wide variety of types of research  projects, there is not a universally accepted list 

of criteria

Guidelines are similar to those one would follow  for developing a research article 

Consult textbook Examples 7.9 and 7.10 for 

checklist for evaluating research article