What are the steps to critically evaluate research articles and how does the scientific method help you do this?

Search for research articles from peer-reviewed publications in
the University Library. Examples of peer-reviewed publications are listed in
Table 2.1 in Chapter 2 of Methods in Behavioral Research.

Select four research articles to review.
Include at least one applied research article and one basic research article.
Be sure to apply the scientific method to evaluate the evidence presented in
the selected articles. Use these articles as a framework for completing the
questionnaire.

Write a 100- to 500-word answer to each
of the following questions:

PART I:

 

• What is the purpose of each of the sections in a
  typical research article?

 

• What are the steps to critically evaluate research
  articles and how does the scientific method help you do this?

 

PART II:

 

• What is the importance of research in behavioral
  sciences?

 

• What is the relationship between applied research and
  basic research? Provide an example, from your selected studies, of how
  each contributes to the body of knowledge.

 

• What ethical issues can you identify in the selected
  articles? How were the issues addressed or neglected?

 

PART III:

 

• Identify three possible research topics that you might
  want to explore further as you go through this course.

 

• List appropriate sources, including databases that you
  might use when exploring these topics.