Evaluating articles and papers

The following questions may help you to evaluate an article. At the least, they will help to maintain your focus while reading.

(NB: This list is just a starting point - try to develop and add your own questions as you read.)Who are the authors? What else have they published? Does this paper extend previous work?
  • What is the stated aim of the article? Has it been satisfied, in your opinion?
  • What does the study investigate, review or analyse? It this topic of significance? Why?
  • What methods, theories or analytical frameworks do the authors adopt? Are these appropriate and/or justified?
  • Is the research design limited in any way?
  • What conclusions are reached? Are these justified by the evidence presented?
  • Do the results and conclusions of this study support, extend or challenge findings of other studies?
  • Would the results of this study be reproduced under different conditions - for example, with a different cohort of participants or in a different geographical location?
  • Are the findings conclusive and applicable to your study?