The Scientific Method

Asking Scientific Questions

Suggested Research Questions

Design Your Research Project

Critique a Research Paper

Looking at Data

Write a Scientific Paper

Classroom Birdscope Research Papers

Guiding Student Research

    Critique a Research Paper

The following questions are designed to help guide students through the process of critiquing research papers, either from Classroom Birdscope (printed or online) or from fellow students.

This can be a very useful exercise in learning how to write up their research results, as well as gaining a fuller understanding of the process of designing a research project.

Students could also use these questions to assess their own research papers as they prepare them for final submission to you and to Classroom Birdscope.

Guiding Questions 

1. Is the hypothesis clearly stated, and does it relate to the question? For example, "My study compared feeders at two heights to measure the effect of feeder height on the number of birds visiting the feeder." (The "question" in this case would be, "What is the effect of feeder height on the number of birds visiting a feeder?")
2. Does the introduction give relevant background information that helps you understand what was studied, and why?
3. Is the procedure (method) clearly stated so that the study could be repeated?
4. Did they compare like (analagous) units? Or are they comparing apples and oranges? For example, studying the effect of feeder height by using similar feeders (e.g. platform feeders) at both heights, rather than a platform feeder down low and a tube feeder at the higher location.
5. Are all the variables (independent, dependent) clearly defined? For example, do they define whether they use the phrase "number of birds" in their study to refer to average group size, maximum group size, or number of feeder visits. Each of these three can be a valid measurement, depending on the question you are trying to answer, but it is important to identify which variable you are looking at.
6. Are all graphs and tables labeled correctly, and do they clearly explain the results? Is each graph labeled with the time frame, the location, and the units of measurement for both the x- and y-axes?
7. Does the data relate to the hypothesis/question? Did they collect data on all relevant variables to answer their question? What variables might you substitute or add if you were doing the study? For example, when studying which of three feeder types (tube, hopper and ground) is visited most often by birds, did they also record the height above ground for each feeder type?
8. Were the results explained? Do the results support or refute the question or hypothesis? Did the authors consider any alternative hypotheses? Do you notice a pattern in their results (graphs) that they don't address in the paper?
9. Do you agree with the conclusions? What would you add or say differently? Did the author discuss the conclusions in light of other research, drawing upon student literature found in past issues of Classroom Birdscope? Do they cite these references?
10. Did they address any problems in their research, exploring how they might do things differently next time? Do they consider what future research might be done to further answer the question?

TOP OF PAGE