How to critique journal articles in the social sciences
Scott R. Harris
- Los Angeles : SAGE, c2014.
- xiii, 121 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.
Machine generated contents note: 1.Social Research Versus Ordinary Ways of Knowing Ordinary Human Inquiry Six Differences Between Ordinary Human Inquiry and Social Science Conclusion 2.What Is a Journal Article? Journal Articles Versus Articles Published in Popular Outlets Journal Articles Versus Chapters in Books Where Can Scholarly Articles Be Found? The Diverse Landscape of Academic Journals What Gets Published in Academic Journals? Other Scholarly Work Besides Empirical Research Articles And Finally, What Do Conventional Articles Look Like? The Typical Format of the Standard Journal Article 3.Defining Key Terms Defining Concepts in Everyday Life Defining Concepts in Journal Articles Two Reasons Why Concepts Can Be Criticized 4.Literature Reviews Finding Imperfections in Literature Reviews 5.Measurement Operationalization in Everyday Life Contents note continued: Scholars' Measurements Are (Usually) Better Than Laypersons' Critiquing Measures 6.Sampling Three Reasons Researchers Usually Do a Better Job With Sampling How to Find Imperfections in Researchers' Samples 7.Analysis The Analytical Strengths of Social Research Finding Analytical Weaknesses in Social Research 8.Ethics Ethics in Everyday Life: Casual Snooping and Gossip Ethical Practices That Set Social Research Above Ordinary Human Inquiry Finding Imperfections in Researchers' Ethics 9.Politics Critiquing Authors' Politics 10.Why Read Journal Articles -and Think Critically About Them? Not the Last Word.
Research should be interesting, not intimidating! Have you ever wondered how to determine the quality of the research reported in journal articles? This brief, introductory guide walks you, step by step, through the basics of reading and understanding a research article. The author demonstrates the many strengths of social research, including its advantages over ordinary ways of knowing things, and, at the same time, points out that research is inevitably flawed. Rather than naively assuming that good research simply produces "The Truth" or cynically asserting that research is hopelessly biased and futile, this book helps you develop a critical perspective - one that appreciates the strengths and weaknesses of any piece of scholarship.
9781452241340
2013031336
Social sciences--Research--Evaluation Social science literature Criticism