Article Critique: Mass incarceration, public health, and widening inequality in the USA

Read the introduction section of the article. Is the hypothesis clearly stated? Is necessary background information and previous research described in the introduction? In addition to answering these basic questions, you should take note of information provided in the introduction and any questions that you may have.

Read the methods section of the article. Is the study procedure clearly outlined? Can you determine which variables the researchers are measuring? Remember to jot down questions and thoughts that come to mind as you are reading. Once you have finished reading the paper, you can then refer back to your initial questions and see which once remain unanswered.

Read the results section of the article. Are all tables and graphs clearly labeled? Do researchers provide enough statistical information? Did the researchers collect all of the data needed to measure the variables in question? Again, make note of any questions you have or any information that does not seem to make sense. You can refer back to these questions later as you are writing your final critique.

Read the discussion section of the article. How do the researchers interpret the results of the study? Did the results support their hypothesis? Do the conclusions drawn by the researchers seem reasonable? The discussion section offers students a good opportunity to take a position. If you agree with the researcher’s conclusions, explain why. If you feel that the researchers are incorrect or off-base, point out problems with the conclusions and suggest alternative explanations. Another alternative is to point out questions that the researchers failed to answer in the discussion section.

Use the following guide to help structure your critique paper:

1. Introduction – Begin your paper by describing the journal article and authors you are critiquing. Provide the main hypothesis or thesis of the paper and explain why you think the information is relevant.
2. Thesis Statement – The final part of your introduction should include your thesis statement. Your thesis statement is the main idea of your critique. Your thesis should briefly sum up the main points of your critique.
3. Article Summary – Provide a brief summary of the article, outlining the main points, results and discussion. Be careful not to get too bogged down by your summary. Remember, this section of your paper should highlight the main points of the article you are critiquing. Don’t feel obligated to summarize each little detail of the main paper. Focus instead on giving the reader an overall idea of the content of the article.
4. Your Analysis – In this section, you should provide your critique of the article. Describe any problems you had with the author’s premise, methods, or conclusions. Your critique might focus on problems with the author’s argument, presentation or on information, and alternatives that have been overlooked. Organize your paper carefully and be careful not to jump around from one argument to the next. Argue one point at a time. Doing this will ensure that your paper flows well and is easy to read.
5. Conclusion – Your critique paper should end with an overview of the articles argument, your conclusions and your reactions.

This rubric is designed to evaluate a student’s critique on statistical article in a scholarly journal.
Total Possible Points = 20	Poor–0 pts A poor job of providing the required information is performed by the writer.	Fair–2 pts The assigned category needs work.	Good—4 pts The writer does a good job applying the category to the journal article.	Excellent–5 pts The writer completely covers all required information.
Appropriate use of standard English and correct grammar. The writer uses standard English and correct grammar throughout the critique.	No attempt is made at usage of standard English grammar.	There are numerous grammar and spelling errors.	There are some spelling and grammar errors throughout the paper	No errors exist in in grammar and spelling.
Article Summary A brief summary of the thesis statement and article is included.	No thesis or summary is given.	A thesis or summary of the article is attempted, but is severely lacking in more than one area.	A thesis and summary of the article is provided, but is lacking in one area.	A thesis and brief summary of the article is given with all the required information.
Statistical Evidence Statistical Evidence is clearly delineated and evident throughout the article critique.	Statistical evidence is not noted within the critique.	Statistical Evidence is poorly delineated and poorly evident throughout the article critique.	Statistical Evidence is delineated and moderately evident throughout the article critique.	Statistical Evidence is clearly delineated and evident throughout the article critique.
Analysis and Conclusion The critique contains information on how this topic might apply to their major field of study.	No implications are mentioned.	One implication is mentioned, but is poorly developed in the reflection.	One or more implications are given and are sufficiently clarified.	Implications are clearly explicated and demonstrate critical thinking skills

You will focus heavily on the clarity of variables, analysis, conclusions and improvements that could be made to the article.