SEM TWO HANDOUT 4
Critical Reading Checklist
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Research Area and Research Questions
1. What is the aspect or area that is the focus of the research? What is the purpose driving the
study?
2. Does the researcher indicate how the study adds to the knowledge base in the area being
investigated? What is the gap in the knowledge base that the study attempts to bridge?
3. What are the research questions(s) and / or hypotheses that guided the research? Are they
stated explicitly?
4. What are the variables that are investigated? What is the relationship between these variables?
5. What is the theoretical perspective that underpins the study?
Methodology
6. What is the research paradigm underpinning the study?
7. What is the sampling design used in the study? To what extent can the findings of the study be
generalized?
8. What precautions, if any, has the researcher taken to ensure the internal validity of the study?
Are there any threats to internal validity that the researcher has failed to consider?
9. What are the data collection instruments used in the study? And their appropriateness? How
was the validity and reliability of the instruments assessed?
10. Briefly describe the data collection procedure deployed in the study.
11. What were the statistical procedures used in the study? Comment on the suitability of these
statistical procedures in the context of the study.
12. What, if anything relating to the methodology would you do differently and why?
Findings and Discussion
13. Are significance levels reported and appropriate conclusions drawn?
14. Are tables and / or graphs clear comprehensible?
15. What are the conclusions drawn by the researcher? Are they supported by the data?
16. What are the areas for further research suggested by the researcher?
17. Is there congruence between the research questions, the methodology and the findings of the
study?
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Note that the questions provided are merely a guide and are intended to provoke your thinking. You may,
if necessary, consider issues not addressed in the questions.