Transcript CriticalReview.ppt

Introduction to Critical
Review
Instrumental Analysis CHFEN 5503
Sarah Read, C.E.L.
Ways of Reading a Text
• For Content to get information from the text:
Answers the question “What is this text about?”
• For Function to understand how the text is
constructed. Answers the question “What is this
text doing?” (thesis, main point, introduction,
example, conclusion)
• Rhetorically to put the text in the broader context
of the field: Answers the question “What is the
author’s purpose, context, intended audience,
bias?”
2 Roles for Doing Research
Layperson: Focuses on the issues and problems of
the assignment and topic, but does not do so
within the discourse (insider’s knowledge and
perspective) of Chemical Engineering. Examples
of how we are laypersons everyday…
Professional-in-training: Focuses on the issues and
problems of the assignment and topic, but uses the
methodologies and jargon of the field. Contexts in
which we have the authority of an insider…
What makes a critical review different?
•
•
Your purpose is to evaluate your research, not to
just report it.
Thus, it is an argument (think: thesis and
supporting points) for your assessment of the
source(s) you research.
How to treat each source:
1. Write an interpretive summary of the main
points. This is your hypothesis about what is
important and relevant for your reader to know
about the source. You do not need to be
comprehensive.
2. Present what you believe are the most important
strengths and weaknesses of the source and
explain why. Compare the source to your other
sources. Think rhetorically (in context) and with
authority. What do you—the professional—
think?
What Makes a Question “Researchable”?
• It’s not too broad or too narrow for the scope of
the project. Consider time/length.
• The question focuses on some aspect of the topic
about which something has been said. Sources are
available.
• It interests the researcher. You are interested.
• It matters to your field.
• It raises more questions. Avoid Yes/No questions.
The answer to the question should not be simple.