Article Critique

An article critique is a critical evaluation of an article. In other words, it is formal writing that involves the evaluation of scientific content, which can be in the MLA or APA format. Depending on the type of article (scholarly, case study, or literature review), the steps of critiquing vary. 

Broadly, critiquing involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of an article. In addition to this core aim, it requires examining the methodology, arguments, and evidence presented in the article. It also includes assessing the author’s interpretation of the sources. During the process, a reviewer engages with the article’s content, identifies its important points, and offers constructive feedback. At the end of a critique, it becomes clear whether the author has achieved the intended purpose of the article.

Article Critique Essay Examples

► Gifted Education

This paper seeks to answer the question: “Is the differential representation of the sexes and of racial and ethnic groups in educational programs for gifted students a civil rights problem?”  The author does a more than adequate job of presenting the arguments on both sides of the issue.

► Article Critique

The main purpose of this study was to examine how a blue petrel’s olfactory system works and to see whether the system they use is observed in other bird species. These researchers wanted to determine if they could propose a possible pattern for olfactory systems.

► Research Article Critique: A Critique on Bitchener

The objectives of this study were: “(1) to investigate whether targeted corrective feedback on ESL student writing results in improved accuracy in new pieces of writing over a 2-month period and (2) to investigate whether there is a differential effect on accuracy for different corrective feedback options.” (p.103)

► Article Critique: Effective Leadership

Impact of school based leadership teams for implementing a successful professional development initiative is an interesting field for research; the article is mainly focused on the methods and relevant research on teachers and their behavior with the support of specialized coaching.

► Quantitative Research Article Critique

This paper is an academic critique of an article written by Lautrette, et al. (2007) titled: “A Communication Strategy and Brochure for Relatives of Patients Dying in the ICU” and accurately reflected the content of the article and the research study itself.

How to Write an Article Critique

Once an article is chosen for evaluation, there are three primary steps involved:

• Reading the article

• Taking notes and preparing an outline

• Summarizing the opinion/conclusion

Once the article is read by the reviewer, the critique has to be structured in the below order of 4 sections:

1. Introduction: In this section, the article being critiqued is introduced with details such as its title, author, publication details, the author’s main point, and a thesis statement. This section also sheds light on how the author’s argument is relevant.

2. Summary: This section is the summary of the article’s content but in the writer’s own words. It involves a discussion of the main points, arguments, and findings of the article.  

3. Critique: This is an important section where the actual critique of the article is done. A clear assessment of the methodology, research questions, credibility of the evidence, hypothesis, data results, findings, and conclusion is carried out. The potency and effectiveness of the author’s argument with respect to the hypothesis presented are also tested and concluded here. The overall presentation and logical flow of the article are examined and discussed. A balanced critique is presented by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses with specific examples from the article. Constructive feedback, if any, is also mentioned here.

4. Conclusion: This is the final section of the article critique and includes a summary of a final assessment of the article’s impact and significance.

Using these pointers can make writing a critique easy. Browse the essays listed below for article critique examples.

► Journal Article Critique

The title of the article gave a fair representation of the topic as it was clear and concise in the wording. The title encompassed the idea that alphabet letter instruction on young children’s word recognition would be explored through experiments and analysis.

► Math Perceptions of Taiwanese and American children

The objective of this article critique is to review and evaluate several empirical studies which have examined mathematics perception cross-culturally. The main study that focuses on examining mathematics perception cross-culturally is a study that was done in 2004 by Dr. Yea-Ling Tsao.

► Analysis Of Triglyceride Article Critique

This article reviews the experiment conducted by Yaarit Adamovich and Dr. Gad Asher from the Weizmann Institute’s Biological Chemistry Department. Their research is on how certain meal times through the day may be able to lower the triglyceride levels in the liver.

Importance of Writing Article Critiques

Knowing how to critique an article is of utmost importance in the field of research. Critiquing helps one understand the quality, reliability, flaws, and strengths of the study design, methodology, and data analysis presented in the research article. Critiquing requires critical thinking among readers as they question the author’s assumptions and hypothesis as well as the overall content of the article. By offering constructive feedback, a critique helps in the engagement of scholarly discussions. It also enhances reading comprehension and deepens one’s understanding of the study topic. It further promotes ethical research practices by highlighting any conflicts laid out in the article. Overall, article critiques are important and an essential component of academic discourse.

► Critique of Thank You for Smoking?

“Thank You for Smoking…?” is an article written by Peter Brimelow about the benefits of smoking.  Brimelow provides some very clear points which are well-addressed.  Even though I do not agree with the subject that “smoking, in a way, is good for you,” (141) I think Peter Brimelow did a thorough job of making his opinions credible to the reader.

► Nursing Research Article Critique

The development of knowledge requires a number of processes in order to establish credible data to ensure the validity and appropriateness of how it can be used in the future. For the healthcare industry, this has provided the ability to create and form new types of interventions in order to give adequate care across a of number of fields within the system.

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