ASSIGNMENT: Review of Qualitative Research Article

Please read a qualitative research article from a peer-reviewed journal (see list of suggested journals on Blackboard) that contains original empirical data and write a three to five page summary that addresses the questions below. Please provide your critique in paragraph format that address, but does not simply answer the questions below. We have provided questions for each major section of a research paper to assist you in this assignment. Not all questions will be pertinent to your article.

Introduction

* Is the purpose of the study clear?

* Are research questions and hypothesis presented?

* Does this study clearly contribute to higher education literature?

* Are there clear research questions?

Literature Review/Theoretical Foundation

* Does the literature review up-to-date? Does it sufficiently review existing studies? Is there a connection between previous literature and this study?

* Does the author provide or indicate a theoretical orientation?

Research Design/Methodology

*  Is the research design clearly presented? Does the research design suited for the research question and purpose?

* Does the author note a paradigm (feminist, postmodern, social constructivist, etc.)

* Does the author describe the characteristics of the participants and explain why these participants were chosen?

* What sampling procedures were used and is the sample sufficient?

* What data collection procedures were used? Does the author discuss how the data was validated?

* Does the author discuss personal bias? Is researcher bias important for this study?

Findings

* Are the results clearly stated and easy to read?

*  How are the findings presented?

*  Do the findings logically follow the data analysis?

* Does the conclusion accurately summarize the study?

* Does the author relate the findings to the theory and literature above?

Any other suggestions or recommendations?