Each time you evaluate an article, you will complete Part I and Part II. You will submit on a typed hardcopy Part I., and Part II on the due date listed in your syllabus. Part I. 1. Skim the article (take light notes) · Read the abstract. The abstract informs you of the major findings of the study, and the importance. · What is the big picture of the study (this is done as you read the article) · Record terms or techniques you are not familiar with. · Include questions to parts of the article you do not understand. · If you are unfamiliar with concepts discussed throughout the article, then perform a Google search. 2. Re-read the article · Go to the Materials and Methods and Results section, and ask the following questions within each section o Was the study repeated? o What was the sample size? Is this representative of a large population? o What were the variables? Controls? o What factors might affect the outcome (according to the investigators) o Interpret the data within each figure without looking at the text. Once you have done this, then read the text. o Understand the purpose of the Materials and Methods 3. Preparing to summarize the article: · Describe the article in your own words first. Can you explain to a friend without looking at your notes? If not, then most likely you do not understand. Go over your notes again. · What was the purpose of the study? · A reader who has not read your article must understand your summary. 4. Write a draft of your summary: · Begin to write the article without looking at your notes. If you choose to look at your notes, then you may not understand the article, and may unintentionally plagiarize. · Ask yourself the following questions to write your summary (without looking at your notes) in your own words: o What was the purpose of the study? o What questions were asked? o How did the study address these questions? o What assumptions did the author make? o What were the major findings? o What questions are still unanswered (according to the authors of the article) Part II. Critical Review and Assessment of the Article · In your summary, include your own analysis and evaluation of the article. · Do not include personal opinions · Use professional language. For example: Common language : Dipodomys merriami is a kangaroo rat that has a longer Loop of Henle, and this helps it survive better in the desert by retaining more water. Professional language : A longer Loop of Henle in Dipodomys merriami allows for greater water absorption, an adaptation that has led to survival in an arid environment. · How did this study answer questions proposed in the introduction section of the paper? · Include the limitations of the study: o Does the data support the conclusions of the study. Explain. o What questions remain unanswered? o How could future studies be improved? .

1. Each time you evaluate an article, you will complete Part I and
Part II. You will submit on a typed hardcopy Part I., and Part II
on the due date listed in your syllabus.
Part I.
1. Skim the article (take light notes)
·
Read the abstract. The abstract informs you of the major
findings of the study, and the importance.
·
What is the big picture of the study (this is done as you read the
article)
·
Record terms or techniques you are not familiar with.
·
Include questions to parts of the article you do not understand.
·
If you are unfamiliar with concepts discussed throughout the
article, then perform a Google search.
2. Re-read the article
·
Go to the Materials and Methods and Results section, and ask
the following questions within each section
o
Was the study repeated?
o

2. What was the sample size? Is this representative of a large
population?
o
What were the variables? Controls?
o
What factors might affect the outcome (according to the
investigators)
o
Interpret the data within each figure without looking at the text.
Once you have done this, then read the text.
o
Understand the purpose of the Materials and Methods
3. Preparing to summarize the article:
·
Describe the article in your own words first. Can you explain to
a friend without looking at your notes? If not, then most likely
you do not understand. Go over your notes again.
·
What was the purpose of the study?
·
A reader who has not read your article must understand your
summary.
4. Write a draft of your summary:
·
Begin to write the article without looking at your notes. If you
choose to look at your notes, then you may not understand the
article, and may unintentionally plagiarize.

3. ·
Ask yourself the following questions to write your summary
(without looking at your notes) in your own words:
o
What was the purpose of the study?
o
What questions were asked?
o
How did the study address these questions?
o
What assumptions did the author make?
o
What were the major findings?
o
What questions are still unanswered (according to the authors of
the article)
Part II. Critical Review and Assessment of the Article
·
In your summary, include your own analysis and evaluation of
the article.
·
Do not include personal opinions
·
Use professional language. For example:
Common language

4. :
Dipodomys merriami
is a kangaroo rat that has a longer Loop of Henle, and this
helps it survive better in the desert by retaining more water.
Professional language
: A longer Loop of Henle in
Dipodomys merriami
allows for greater water absorption, an adaptation that has led
to survival in an arid environment.
·
How did this study answer questions proposed in the
introduction section of the paper?
·
Include the limitations of the study:
o
Does the data support the conclusions of the study. Explain.
o
What questions remain unanswered?
o
How could future studies be improved?