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

 

 


Disclosure of Research Findings
Culmination of research process is the public 
disclosure of results
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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
– Indicate whether H0 was rejected or not

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

*Adapted from Tuckman (1999)


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
– Special materials or illustrations


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