How to Read, Summarize, and critique previous studies (Seliger and Shohamy, 1989)

Summarizing a previous study

• What are the major research questions or hypotheses in the study?
• What were the main findings of the study?
• Why was it important to carry out the research?
• What is the relationship between this study and your own project?
• What other research studies were conducted in the same area?
• What is the relationship between these studies and your own project?

Summarizing research methods

• What research design was used in the study?
• What were the main variables in the study?
• What data was collected for the study?
• Describe the population, sample, and selection procedures for the sample
• Describe the data collection procedures used in the study
• How were the data collection procedures developed?
• Were issues of reliability and validity considered?

Analysis of the data

• How was the data analysed in the study?
• Were the analytic procedures quantitative, qualitative or both?
• Would you be able to re-analyse the data on the basis of the information provided about the analytic procedures?

Analysing findings

• What were the main findings of the study?
• How do the findings relate to previous research on the topic?
• What conclusions does the researcher reach on the basis of their findings?
• What are the implications of the findings?
• What recommendations does the researcher make based on the findings?
• What recommendations does the researcher draw from the results of their study?

Critiquing previous research

• Is the research problem clearly stated?
• Are the variables clearly described and defined?
• Is the design of the study appropriate for the particular research question?
• Is the research the instruments appropriate for the particular study?
• Are the data analysis procedures appropriate for the particular study?
• Was the author consistent in the way they analysed their results?
• Are the conclusions, implications, and recommendations warranted by the results?