Select five of the titles to comment on from Fred's exercises for Chapter 2 - Part A and then select 2 of the abstracts from the exercises for Chapter 3 - Part A. (You may find it helpful to work through all the examples to determine which ones you would like to share in the discussion.

Share your evaluations of titles and abstracts in this week's discussion and give a brief explanation of why you arrived at each conclusion as to the suitability or adequacy of each. Remember that there may be considerable subjectivity in this process, particularly in the case of the titles, as you are not reading the whole article in context.

Title Evaluations | Pyrczak Chapter 2 | B. Whitmer

The title lacks specificity regarding the population being studied but does identify the problem it will be examining. It identifies a primary variable – cultural capital – which is a type of variable since cultural capital can be assumed to cover a broad range of knowledge and practice. It doesn’t specify any specific group of people – so we must infer that it likely covers a school population. A specific theory is not mentioned in the title. The title infers a causal relationship between cultural capital and academic achievement. The title is phrased as a “yes-no” title and should be rewritten. The main subtitle is informative because it offers detail regarding the new evidence that might be unique. Causality is implied in the main title but it not possible to judge if it’s justified by the research method. The title is reasonably jargon-free although one might desire clarification of the meaning of “cultural capital”. The mention of the combined sibling and panel data might merit mention as unique and important element if the combination of those types of data is rare in this domain. The title needs improvement population specificity and rates a 2-3 in my opinion.

This title lacks specifics and is much too short to convey enough useful information to determine its research value. No variable (or variable type) is identified. The population being studied is rather broadly inferred to be a sibling – but with no contextual situation into which to situate the implied population. No specific theory, result, causality or unique element is mentioned in the title. This title is not informative and should be rated a 1.

This title defines a type of variable – cognitive abilities in a broad population – musicians. It is much too concise and doesn’t provide enough specificity to know what problem or concern will be covered in the article. No theory, causality, or unique element is mentioned in the title. It avoids jargon, “yes-no” construction, and doesn’t mention any result claims. The title needs improvement in specificity and rates a 2-3 in my opinion.

This title uses a “yes-no” construction which should be avoided. It provides specifics on the population being examined – mother’s using child care services – and is reasonably concise. Are they mothers with no preexisting mental health issues? The specific population of mothers cannot be inferred from the title alone. The primary variable of depressive symptom is identified but what defines that type of care is not clearly stated. The main title and subtitle are informative – identifying the population, treatment, and problem – depression. Causality is implied – is higher quality care is associated with fewer depressive symptoms and this part of the title should be rewritten. The title is jargon free and does not highlight any unique elements. The title needs improvement. The “yes-no” subtitle needs to be rewritten and mention of causality eliminated. Title rates a 3 in my opinion.

This title is sufficiently specific and concise. It identifies the population being studied and mentions they theory that it will be referencing. Without knowing more about Black’s theory it is hard to judge the variables in theory but I would assume it involves the effect of provincial laws on the rights of Chinese women. No results are mentioned in the title and “yes-no” construction is avoided. Both the main and subtitle are informative and jargon free. Depending on the scope of Black’s Theory the type of law being studied may constitute a unique and important element in the title. This title rates a 4-5 in my opinion.

Abstract Evaluations | Chapter 3 |

The purpose of the study is referred to in the first sentence of the abstract and reiterates the article title. The abstract mentions highlights of the research methodology - identifying the size of the sample population, the treatment duration, and the activities that constituted the aerobic training component. The researchers should have omitted the titles of the measures being used as this could have freed up space for more important information. The results are described without specificity. It’s not clear how effective the treatment was in ameliorating the patient’s depression. No theory is mentioned in the abstract nor is there any reference to implication or future research directions. This abstract rates a 3 in my opinion.

This purpose of the study is referred to in the first sense of the abstract and reiterates the article title. The purpose is somewhat vague regarding its description of instructional practices – not specific instruction practices are mentioned by name or type. The highlights of the research methodology are mentioned as a questionnaire and structural equation modeling. The specific teaching strategies are only identified by type so it is not clear what specific treatments have been applied. Specific measures were not mentioned by name. The abstract highlights the results outcome as a causal chain – when teachers use motivating teaching strategies students are more motivated leading to better writing performance. No specific theory is mentioned by one can imply that a theory of pedagogical practice underlay the research. No reference to future research direction is made in the abstract. This title rates a 4 in my opinion.