The final assignment for this course is an academic research article critique. The purpose of the critique is to ensure that you know how to read and critically assess research for use in your own research, to understand social problems in society, support decision making in public policy, or to influence one's own individual research approaches.

Focus of the Final Paper

Reading and critically analyzing academic research reported in journal articles is an important part of learning and applying scholarly research for multiple applications within your discipline. Through the first four weeks of this course, you have become more familiar with the various components of research design.

For this final assignment, read and critically review one of the journal articles provided in the list by discipline (below). You may choose from any of the lists, however you will probably find one from your own discipline to be of greater interest to you and more useful for future reference.

Choose one article from the list below and read it. This is the article I chose for my tutor to complete.

Sociology

Atkinson, M. (2004). Tattooing and civilizing processes: Body modification as self-control. Canadian Review of Sociology & Anthropology, 41(2), 125-146.

Glass, P. G. (2012). Doing scene: Identity, space, and the interactional accomplishment of youth culture. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 41(6), 695. doi:10.1177/0891241612454104

Oyelere, R., & Oyolola, M. (2012). The role of race and birth place in welfare usage among comparable women: Evidence from the U.S. Review of Black Political Economy, 39(3), 285-297.

Park, J., & Denson, N. (2013). When race and class both matter: The relationship between socioeconomic diversity, racial diversity, and student reports of cross-class interaction. Research in Higher Education, 54(7), 725-745. doi:10.1007/s11162-013-9289-4

Read the resource below.

Learning Commons. (2013). Using a scientific journal article to write a critical review.University of Guelph.

Employ the methods detailed in the Learning Commons resource to critique the article you selected in Step 1. At a minimum, the critique should include the following information:

Introduction (about two pages)

Summarize the article you chose, including discussions surrounding the purpose of the study, the methodology utilized, the results obtained, and the conclusions drawn by the author(s) utilizing questions posed in the reading.

Utilize questions posed in the "Analyze the Text" section of the Learning Commons resource to develop this section. You must include the full APA citation for the article in your references page.

Body (about five pages)

Determine both the strengths and weaknesses of each section of the paper (i.e., introduction, methods, results, discussion, overview). Use questions posed in the "Evaluate the Text" section of the Learning Commons resource to develop this section.

Conclusion (about three pages)

Discuss the significance of the research. Utilize questions posed in the "Establish the Significance of the Research" section of the Learning Commons resource to develop this section.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

Must be 8 to 10 double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

Must include a title page with the following:

Title of paper

Student's name

Course name and number

Instructor's name

Date submitted

Must use at least two scholarly resources, including a minimum of one from the Ashford University Library.

Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.