PSY 291: JOURNAL CRITIQUE/REVIEW

Instructions: You are to select one of the two journal articles listed. After reading the article,
students will summarize the selected article on methods, conclusions, and implications. The
following questions should help you to organize and structure your journal article
review/critique. This paper should be at least 2 pages (approx. 500 words) typed, double spaced
and one-inch margins. The paper should adhere to the guidelines outlined in the current edition
of the publication manual of the American Psychological Association. You may use other
references in your critique as long as it is cited (highly encouraged). Papers with poor grammar,
failure to meet page requirement, and lack critical thinking will have points deducted.
SAMPLE FORMAT
Paragraph 1: Research Problem: What was the problem being studied? What was the hypothesis
and why did they study this?
Paragraph 2: Study Method: How was it studied (how many participants and what are their
characteristics, procedures/methods)?
Paragraph 3: Conclusions: What were the results of the study?
Paragraph 4: Limitations/Critique: What are some of the limitations of the study? What else
could possibly explain results? What other variable should the study possibly included? How
would you improve upon this study?
Paragraph 5: Real Life Application: What do you think of the article and how does this relate to
real life. Does it relate to your world? Could it help others?

SELECTED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Neuman, S. B., Kaefer, T., Pinkham, A., & Strouse, G. (2014). Can babies learn to read? A
randomized trial of baby media. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100, 815-830. doi:
10.1037/a0035937
Soley, G. & Hannon, E.E. (2010). Infants prefer the musical meter of their own culture: A crosscultural comparison. Developmental Psychology, 46, 286-292. doi: 10.1037/a0017555