Structured Article Analysis

Framework by Dr. John V. Richardson Jr.,

UCLA Professor of Information Studies

Winter 2013

1. What is the problem—is it framed as a knowledge void or a theoretical conflict? What assumptions are made (explicitly/implicitly)? What is the justification for writing such an article? Is the topic significant, of national importance?

2. What is the scope of the problem? What are the dimensions of the study (i.e., a) known, b) unknown, and c) theoretical bridge)? Is there a logical (only 2 dimensions) or a theoretical framework (i.e., all three dimensions) present? Are all terms explicitly defined or merely vague concepts?

3. Is there a general vision/mission or vague goal (e.g., “to explore…”)? What are the stated/unstated objectives? (Find sentences with the phrase “to…) Is the study descriptive (i.e., “to describe … or to depict…) or comparative (i.e., to compare or to contrast…)?

4. Are there a limited number of research questions? (Look for interrogatives). Are they related to the objectives? What is the thesis or hypothesis? If there is a hypothesis, is it stated as a null as well as discussed in the context of Type I or Type II errors?

5. What methodology is adopted to collect data (e.g., life history, case study, focus group, interviewing, or questionnaires)? Is the sample and the population clearly stated? (If not, calculate the likely size of the population and the requisite sample size). How is data collected (i.e., unstructured or structured?) Critical inquiry (i.e., qualitative) or quantitative (e.g., what statistical tests are used)? Is there sufficient evidence to confirm or reject the thesis or hypothesis? At what level of confidence?

6. What are the three major findings? Are they reliable and valid?

7. What are the implications of these findings? Is the author asking for some specific concrete action or just to think differently? What, even if it is only implicit? Would you implement such changes as a professional with an evidence-based stance? Or, is the author asking you to think differently about the problem?

 8. What needs to be done in the future? Bigger sample?

Updated: 6 March 2013; created: 26 March 2001.