1. Reading Journal Articles Critically
This workshop will:
Introduce you to the idea of critiquing and analysis tools
Show you how to apply one model of reading analysis
Highlight how to find gaps in author’s logic and points to critique
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

2. Academic Skills Advice
The Plan…
Understanding critiquing tools
Applying the Code to introductions
Identifying gaps or points to critique in research articles
This booklet extensively adapts from Shon (2012)
Share the plan with attendees and give out note-taker HO
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

3. Academic Skills Advice
1.Understanding critiquing tools
Critiquing tools
understand how research is done and what it has found out
assess the quality of research by questioning what has been written
Shon has devised a simple coding system to enable students to read critically whilst managing the amount of information collected. It uses fourteen acronyms which you jot down next to passages within the article which are either directly related to critical reading, or are used to critique the article and encourages you to generate new ideas about what you are reading. All of his codes are placed in the right hand margin. This is so your own thematic codes/notes can be placed in the left hand margin.
The full code is on the handout provided. These codes represent what you should look out for in an article to ensure you analyse it fully and to assist with your own review or research project.
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

4. 2 examples of critiquing tools
1.Understanding critiquing tools
2 examples of critiquing tools
Quantitative research:
Coughlan et al (2007)
Qualitative and quantitative:
Adapted from Caldwell et al (2011)
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

5. Dr. Philip Shon’s Coding System
1.Understanding critiquing tools
Dr. Philip Shon’s Coding System
14 acronyms
Right hand margins
Full code in booklet
Shon has devised a simple coding system to enable students to read critically whilst managing the amount of information collected. It uses fourteen acronyms which you jot down next to passages within the article which are either directly related to critical reading, or are used to critique the article and encourages you to generate new ideas about what you are reading. All of his codes are placed in the right hand margin. This is so your own thematic codes/notes can be placed in the left hand margin.
The full code is on the handout provided. These codes represent what you should look out for in an article to ensure you analyse it fully and to assist with your own review or research project.
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

6. Race, gender, and the newsworthiness of homicide incidents
2. Applying the Code to Introductions
Race, gender, and the newsworthiness of homicide incidents
Paragraph 1: SPL, GAP
Paragraph 2: CPL, GAP
Paragraph 3: RAT
Paragraph 4: WTD
Flow
SPL GAP CPL GAP RAT WTD
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

7. Academic Skills Advice
2. Applying the Code to Introductions
Wheeled Mobile Robots
Paragraph 1: SPL 3rd and 4th ; CPL last, GAP part of last: ‘for which…relevant question.’
Paragraph 2: Rat 1st and 5th, WTD 6th, SPL 2nd and 3rd
Flow:
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

8. Activity 1: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
2. Applying the Code to Introductions
Activity 1: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
SPL: 2nd and 3rd
CPL: 4th
GAP: 4th
Rat: Last: ‘attempts to bridge this divide’
WTD: Last: ‘addresses…attempts…reviewing’
Flow:
SPL CPL GAP RAT WTD
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

9. Academic Skills Advice
3. Identifying Gaps or Points to Critique
MOP: Missed Obvious Point to earlier literature
POC: Point of Critique re any gaps or limitations
RPP: Relevant Point to Pursue to use for your own purposes
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

10. Academic Skills Advice
References
Bastin, G., Campion, G, and D’Andréa-Novel, B. (1996) Structural Properties and Classification of Kinematic and Dynamic Models of Wheeled Mobile Robots. IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation. Vol 12: 1, February., pp [online] Available at: [Accessed ] Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., and Taylor, G. (2011) Developing a Framework for Critiquing Health Research: An Early Evaluation. Nurse Education Today. Vol. 31 (No. 8) pp. e1-e7 Coughlan, M., Cronin, P., and Ryan, F. (2007) Step-by-step guide to critiquing research – Part 1: quantitative research. British Journal of Nursing. Vol. 16 (No. 11) pp Gruenewald, J., Pizarro, J., and Chermak, S. (2009) Race, gender, and the newsworthiness of homicide incidents. Journal of Criminal Justice. Issue 37. pp. 262–272. [online] Available at: file:///C:/Users/lclivese/Desktop/Predicting%20Crime%20Story%20Salience.pdf [Accessed ]
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

11. Academic Skills Advice
References
Pollard, C. (2013). Physiotherapy Management of complex regional pain syndrome. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy. 41(2). July, pp [online] Available at: [Accessed ]
 Pritchard, D. and Hughes, K. (1997) Patterns of Deviance in Crime News. Journal of Communication. Issue: 47(3). Summer. pp [online] Available at:
[Accessed ]
Shumaker, D. and Prinz, R. (2000) Children Who Murder: A Review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review. Vol. 3 (2) pp [online] Available at:
[Accessed ]
Shon, P. (2012) How to Read Journal Articles in Social Science. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

12. Academic Skills Advice Service
Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday- Friday 9am-5pm (closing at 4pm Fridays).
Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.
Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.
Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment.
How do I get in touch? Telephone:
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice

13. Academic Skills Advice
Any questions?
13 January, 2015
Academic Skills Advice