What is/are independent variable(s)? What is/are dependent variable(s)?
How did researchers recruit their participants? Identify participants’ demographic information and data collection procedure.
What materials did researchers utilize to measure the hypotheses?, Identify the apparatus and measurements.
What are the key findings/results of the study?
Do the findings justify authors’ conclusions?
Main Hypotheses
Main Hypotheses: The main hypotheses are the statements the researchers are testing. They typically predict a relationship between variables or an effect of one variable on another. To identify these, look in the introduction or the beginning of the method section.
Independent and Dependent Variables
Independent Variable(s): These are the variables that the researchers manipulate or categorize to observe their effect on the dependent variable. They are often found in the methods section.
Dependent Variable(s): These are the variables that are measured or observed to see if they change due to the manipulation of the independent variables. These are also described in the methods section.
Participant Recruitment and Demographics
Recruitment of Participants: This information is usually found in the methods section under a subsection labeled “Participants” or “Sample.” Researchers typically describe how they recruited participants (e.g., through advertisements, random sampling, specific inclusion criteria).
Participants’ Demographic Information: This section includes details such as age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc.
Data Collection Procedure: This part describes the steps the researchers took to gather data from the participants. It often includes the setting, duration, and methods used (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments).
Materials and Measurements
Materials: These include any tools, tests, questionnaires, or equipment used in the study. This information is found in the materials or instruments section.
Measurements: This part details how the hypotheses were tested, including any scales or metrics used to measure the variables of interest.
Key Findings/Results
Key Findings/Results: The results section provides the main findings of the study. It includes statistical analyses, tables, and figures that summarize the data. Key findings are usually highlighted in the abstract and the discussion sections.
Justification of Conclusions
Justification of Conclusions: In the discussion or conclusion section, authors interpret the findings and relate them back to the hypotheses. This section assesses whether the results support the hypotheses and discusses the implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.
