Author: __________________________
Reviewer: __________________________
Title
_____ Title is informative, concise, and does not promise more than
paper will deliver
Abstract
_____ Reads like mini paper, emphasis on results and conclusions (<
300 words).
_____ States importance of study or results found
Introduction
_____ Begins generally and rapidly focuses in on the topic
_____ Gives historical, theoretical and empirical perspective about
the paper's topic. (i.e., places paper within context of other papers written
on subject.
_____ Defines new terms, concepts, and facts needed to understand what
follows
_____ Hypothesis(es) are clearly stated at end of Introduction.
Materials and Methods
_____ M&M section has enough detail so that the experiment can
be replicated, but is not cluttered with information
which is unnecessarily explicit.
_____ Examples of required detail: scientific names of subject, comprehensive
description of equipment used, biotic and abiotic conditions of lab (or
field) location that might affect results, measurements taken,
time of experiment, statistical tests performed, statistical
alpha level set by experimenter. . . etc.
_____ Written in past tense; not in cookbook form.
Results
_____ Text and figures address the hypotheses stated in the Introduction
_____ Tables and figures are not redundant, but rather compliment one
another.
_____ Data presented is a summarization of the data, NOT the raw data.
_____ All the appropriate data are properly presented without interpretation..
_____ Tables & figures are numbered sequentially and are referenced
throughout the text where appropriate.
_____ Table and figure include captions that clearly explain graphs.
_____ Tables and figures are not cluttered, but rather simply present
the minimum amount of summary data, while still being
meaningful.
_____ Axes are properly labeled with a meaningful scale for the data
presented.
_____ Conclusions from statistical analyses are stated in the results
text and supported with the important statistical numerical results (parenthetically)
immediately after the verbal description of the statistical conclusion.
Discussion
_____ Section develops and expands the Intro, molds it with results
obtained, interprets results, explains, justifies and supports
the conclusions drawn.
_____ Limitations and assumptions in the experimental design and method
are addressed.
_____ Results that contradict your hypothesis are addressed.
_____ Invites reader to consider research projects that the current
study sets the stage for.
Literature Cited
_____ Alphabetical by first author last name.
_____ Single space within a citation and double space between citations.
_____ Uses citations for all information, methods, results, concepts,
terms, etc. that are not your very own & not considered
common knowledge.
_____ Place citations at the end of the text being cited using (Author's
last name, date of publication). Note period comes after closed
parentheses and not before.
_____ Use actual quotes under only the rarest of circumstances (to
emphasize a famous author or a landmark quote like "survival
of the fittest").
Format and Style
_____ Section headings are clearly delineated from the text (bold,
underlined, or CAPITAL print).
_____ Language is free from cliches, unexplained technical terminology
and other scientific jargon.
_____ Type font is clearly readable and consistent throughout paper.
_____ Paper is aimed at a specific, and the appropriate audience.
_____ Paper length is appropriate.
_____ Grammar and spelling have been checked and are infallible.
MAKE COMMENTS ON YOUR PEER'S PAPER, AS WELL AS ON THIS FORM. ADDITIONALLY, WRITE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF YOUR THOUGHTS TO TIE THEM TOGETHER FOR YOUR PEER.
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY HELP YOUR CLASSMATES.
While making suggestions, remember that your classmates want criticism
but they have feelings too. Your criticism should be concise, forthright
and always constructive. One can tear a paper apart without tearing
apart the author. This is a valuable skill that takes practice.
As you read your classmates paper learn from both their ideas, style and
mistakes and incorporate what you have learned into your own work.
Last Update : Thursday, August 13, 1999 - 9:31:07 AM