Evaluating Research Articles

Developing your ability to critically evaluate research articles is essential for a strong literature review. We'll discuss key criteria for assessing the credibility, relevance, and methodology of research articles. 

Now, let us learn how to evaluate research articles. As mentioned earlier, in writing your review of literature, it is essential that you are able to interpret the works of others. 

How do you search for research articles, research reports and so on? You can start by referring to preliminary reference sources, such as, indexes and abstracts intended to help you identify and locate research articles and other primary sources of information. 

Another way to obtain information on research done is to examine journals, handbooks and encyclopedias that locate and “review research” for particular topics. 

What do you think of some problems face by the graduate learners when doing the review of literature for their theses or research projects? 

You should keep in mind that in research, the findings of previous research tends to be inconclusive as results are often contradictory. This may leave you at a loss to decide which, if any, to accept.  

However, this problem can be resolved through a critical evaluation of previous work in which the strengths and weaknesses of each study are carefully weighed (Borg & Borg, 1983).  

Let’s watch this video on the five-step procedure of evaluating an article.