Section

 

Evaluating Journal Articles: continued

After applying the basic criteria of who, when, why, what and where, take a closer look at the article and ask yourself the following questions:

Regarding the content, Is the article original research, a literature review of previous research, or an article based on the author's opinion?

If it is original research:

• Does the research have a clear purpose?
• Does the author relate it to previous research?
• Is the methodology appropriate for the type of research?
• Are the results valid and interpreted correctly?
• Are they adequately explained?
• Reflect on the results. Can they be applied to a practical situation?

If it is a literature review:

• Does the article cover the topic comprehensively, or is it an overview?
• Are there sufficient references consulted and are they appropriate for the content?
• Is the citation style clear, consistent and accurate?

If it is an informative piece:

Does it display a particular bias or perspective? Is the author's intent clearly outlined?
• Does the author seek to inform or entertain?
• Is the emphasis technical, scholarly, clinical or for general consumption?

To evaluate journal articles you still need to ask yourself - Who, When, Why and What? You also need to know Where the article is published. Is it in a scholarly journal, popular magazine or trade publication?