Student Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between information and knowledge obtained through the use of research methods versus other forms of knowledge.
Summarize and evaluate a research article of your choice about any aspect of infancy or prenatal development. You may use the library online (databases/social sciences) or any other reputable source for scientific journals. Use the search function to type in keywords related to what interests you, and filter as needed. Any article in which the authors conducted their own experimental research is acceptable, but be sure to retrieve the entire article (full PDF) and not just the one-paragraph summary (abstract). Follow the writing guidelines below.
Note that research articles can typically be broken down into sections:
Abstract a one-paragraph summary of the research that immediately follows the title (read first for an overview of the article).
Introduction a literature review of previous research that provides the basis for the authors current study
Method provides important information about the participants, sample size, and procedures used for testing all variables in the study.
Results Statistical findings (dont worry about this section)
Discussion verbal description of results, conclusions, and weaknesses or limitations of the study
References a list of research thats cited in the article
Although far less common, a Meta-analysis is a collective analysis of a group of studies related to a particular issue. This type of study is also acceptable for this assignment, as conclusions are based on an entire body of research rather than findings from a single study.
NOT Acceptable for this assignment:
A literature review: An overview of past research in the field (but does not include new research)
An opinion piece: An authors ideas about a particular topic for which they may have the expertise (but does not include new research)
A second party review: Someone elses evaluation of a study (in lieu of reviewing the original research)
Writing Guidelines
Include the following:
A clear statement about the purpose of the study, specifying which behaviors are being assessed.
Sample size and information about participants.
A description of the testing procedure (e.g., how they measured the variables of study).
Key findings (without statistics) and discuss implications for development, as well as any limitations (or issues) that could affect the validity of the study.
The reference for your selected article at the end of your summary (authors, title, date, and place of publication). Note: printout of the original article need not be included.
Feel free to find your own article of interest using the criteria above, but if time is an issue I have provided links to a few articles ONLY if they are of interest to you.
Please make sure you do this paper on the article below.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5614468/