asking questions
We are bombarded with information all our lives. Does the information make sense? Is it important? Why should we care? Reading and thinking critically involves asking questions about everything we read or study. The questions in this module are just some of the questions you need to ask while reading reports of empirical studies.
These questions will help you identify the key information presented in the report and reflect on what purpose that information serves:
- Who did the research, and where was it published?
- What are the research questions, and where did they come from?
- Who are the participants and are they appropriate for the study?
- What is the research design, and it is appropriate for the research question(s)?
- What are the measures, and do they address the research questions(s)?
- What ethical considerations are important to address? Are they all addressed in the report?
- What are the main results of the study? Can they answer the research question(s)?
- What are some of the limitations of the study? What are their implications on the study overall?
