Evaluating a Research Article
A project is considered an information technology project when it has specific resources and required results. An IT project also has a defined outcome and specific deliverable. Communication is core to an information technology project. Deliverables, limitations and deadlines are key aspects of any project because they determine project success. Defining these aspects helps project managers to create a schedule and plan effectively before the project begins. Research papers are in some cases considered as projects. A research paper has eight major parts, which are the title, the abstract, the introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and reference list (Figueiredo, 2007).
The title is an important feature in a research paper, just like in other forms of literature. The title conveys the major concepts in the paper, and other concepts, such as the hypothesis and key variables. Therefore it should be clear and concise to portray the relevant message to an audience. The abstract is the second part, which is a brief summary of the key feature, objectives, purpose of the research, research questions, sample size, method, and findings.
Then there is the introduction, which is the part that sets direction for the research. An introduction generally presents the research problem, lays what the author is trying to achieve, and states the position of the author. Another part of a research paper is the method, which gives the exact design and methodology that was used to perform the research. The results section presents major findings from the research based on the aim of the method use. Results can be presented using graphs and tables. Then follows the discussion section that elaborates the research findings together with the author’s interpretations.
Another part of the paper is the conclusion, which is the part where the author builds his or her discussion. The conclusion is an important of a research paper because it is where the author relates findings with real life or other experiences. The conclusion can also include some recommendations for future research. The last part of a research paper is the reference list. The reference list completes the paper with a documentation of all the sources used in the research based on APA and other specified formats.
As noted, research employs various methods based on the desired results. Quantitative research methods are those that focus on numbers and statistics, while qualitative methods emphasize on words and meanings. Quantitative methods allow researchers to test hypothesis through data analyses, while with qualitative methods, researchers explore ideas.
Most studies refer to peer reviewed articles. Using these articles is important because they are valid as authors verify their claims and findings using expert knowledge from other researchers on a similar discipline. This ensures that false work is not accepted to mislead future researchers and learners. Additionally, peer reviewed articles provide reliable feedback that researchers can use to improve their papers before publicizing them.
Using key words in literature review is vital because it facilities an easy literature search. Researchers use key words to find literature on a given topic. The writing format used in a research paper is also important. Using APA enables authors to edit their papers. Additionally, the author helps the author to effectively pass information to the reader.
When writing research papers and other forms of literature, it is vital to avoid any form of plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act of presenting the ideas of other author as your own. Writers can also engage in self-plagiarism, which is the re-using of own ideas that were previously used as part of another text. Avoiding plagiarism promotes academic integrity. Academic integrity is critical for any learner because it ensures one is not guilty of doing anything wrong (McCabe & Pavela, 2010). This, in turn, makes learners productive.
References
Figueiredo, D.A. (2007). Writing a Research Paper: From the Parts to the Whole. SSRN
Electronic Journal.
McCabe, D. & Pavela, G. (2010). Some Good News about Academic Integrity. The Magazine of
Higher Learning, 32(5).
Washington, D.C. (1994). American Psychological Association, Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association, (Fourth Edition).