Analysis of a Professional Journal Article

ANALYSIS OF A PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL ARTICLE FOR
READABILITY AND PSEUDOSCIENCE VERSUS REAL SCIENCE
Assignment: You are an engineer employed by a professional journal to analyze an article from their journal using the following criteria:

How well the article is written as a technical document;

Whether the author(s) prove(d/n) her/his/their thesis using scientific methodologies.

Length: a full 2-3 pages (not including visuals), single-spaced, blank line between paragraphs.

Article to be analyzed: Select a technical article from a high quality professional technical journal, preferably from a professional organization in your major. It must be dated within the last 5 to 5 ½ years. You will want and article that is roughly 8-10 pages long so that you have enough material to analyze thoroughly.

Format: A MEMO addressed to the journal editors (specific names).

MEMO REQUIREMENTS: Include all of the following:

Purpose: 1-2 lines. Purpose of your memo, including full title of chosen article and journal name.

Summary: about 4-6 lines. Summarize your memo, including full title of article and journal name, and end with your thesis statement.

Journal and Article

A. Info about the Journal.(Answer all the following) Full title of article. Journal name. Peer reviewed? Exclusively online? Available for subscription? Published monthly? Semi Annually? Editors’ names? Intended audience?

B. The Author(s). (Answer all the following) Country(ies) of origin? University (ies) attended. Degree(s)? In industry or teach at university? Where? Other publications? You may have to research the author to find this information.

Introduction

A. Article’s main purpose or thesis. Who is the intended audience for the article? State the author’s thesis.

B. Your own thesis. State your conclusion concerning the readability and scientific methodology of the article addressing:

a) how the writing and presentation helps or hinders your understanding of the author(s) thesis, and

b) how the author(s) have used sound scientific methodologies to prove their thesis. Be sure to address this clearly as it addresses one of this course’s Student Learning Objectives (SLO), so it is a required element that will affect your grade.

Readability of Article

A. Characteristics of Technical Writing. Address four to five ways (with examples of each) that the article follows the seven characteristics of Technical Writing (Markel p. 7).

B. Measures of Excellence. Address four to five ways (with examples of each) that the article follows the seven measures of excellence in technical writing (Markel pp. 7-9).

The article’s scientific validity.

A. Scientific method or Design process: Briefly explain the author(s) scientific hypothesis and/or the design model.

B. Scientific hypothesis– or design model: How do the author(s) prove or disprove her/his/their hypothesis or design process? When possible, provide visual examples, such as architecture, charts, graphs, mathematical formulas.

Conclusion with a Recommendation.

A. Usefulness to your major. How has this article contributed to your understanding of a concept?

B. Recommendations about improvements for clarity. How can the information be presented so as to clarify your understanding of the concepts presented?


Submission Guidelines:

  1. Prior to the deadline, submit the assignment on Canvas as two documents in the following order:

a. Your Memo

b. The Article (scanned with your highlights, notes)

  1. At the start of class, print out the Rubric, and use pen to write your name and your TurnItIn Score on the top before turning in the rubric.

Late Homework Assignments Policy from Greensheet: One letter off if received after Canvas closes. After one week, assignment will not be accepted.

Plagiarism will result in a grade of NO CREDIT in 100W. Papers with plagiarism cannot be rewritten for credit. (See Greensheet.)

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