I have my students do a summary of a published paper--but not right off the bat. We work up to it. First I have them identify independent and dependent variables in a bunch of hypotheses; then they do the same and also identify operational definitions with brief descriptions of experiments (from Science News and NY Times); then we read a paper together; finally they read one that they pick out on their own (brief--from Psychological Reports or Perceptual and Motor skills). I think they learn what to look for in a paper. They still have trouble reading them. I do this in a research methods course--so it's not freshmen. Paul Schulman > >> Dear Tipsters: >> >> for several years I've had my Intro. Psych. students write 2 article >> reviews, selecting journal articles from the paper copies in the library or >> the electronic databases we have access to. I spend 1-2 weeks at the >> beginning of the semester discussing research concepts and what makes for >> good research. I have an instruction sheet posted on my webpage plus two >> successful reviews. I ask them to a) summarize the article, b) answer some >> questions, such as what the dependent and independent variable are, and c) >> evaluate the article (i.e. reliable, flawed, and why). I continue to feel >> conflicted about this assignment however. Some students turn in beautiful >> work, some do a horrible job, and some don't do it at all, despite the fact >> that each is about 8% of their grade. My question to TIPSters is: do you >> think this assignment is too advanced for freshmen? Journal articles are >> often >> written in difficult prose, and I don't expect them to understand path >> analysis, >> but I know some of them have less-than-stellar English skills. >> >> Craig Cowden >> Northern Virginia Community College >
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