Read a current article on a research finding in a news magazine. You can access your article on the magazine's website if you wish. Be sure that the article is about a research finding, not just a news story about politics or current events. The article should talk about some "finding" that has been found through research. Magazines like Newsweek, Time, Discovery, and Scientific American are some good sources. Then, answer the following questions on your article. If information is missing or cannot be found in your news article, indicate that you were unable to find that information.

1. What question did the research attempt to answer?

2. Who composed the sample population?

3. How was the sample population selected? Was it representational?

4. How were subjects selected?

5. Was there a control group? If so, how were participants assigned?

6. What was the independent variable?

7. What was the dependent variable?

8. Were any extraneous variables identified? If so, how were they controlled?

9. Was there any evidence of experimental bias?

10. Were the conclusions based on significantly measurable data?

11. Can you offer one way you feel the research could be improved? How so?

12. What is the source of this research study? Provide the name of the author(s), the date the article appeared, the title of article, the publication in which it appeared, and the web address where you found it.