• What is the paper about (scope)?
• Did they identify a problem (economic, logistical, etc.)
• What did the author(s) want to do (objectives)?
• How did they go about doing it (methodology)?
• What evidence did they use in the analysis?
• What did they find (conclusion)?
Paper’s Strengths
Here are some questions you can consider as you prepare the critique of the paper:
- Is the article well written and easily understood with clear objectives and reasonable conclusions?
- Does the author(s) address a tangible problem in society and provide an insightful discussion?
- Does the author(s) present convincing data and other evidence to support their position?
- Is the methodology technically sound and appropriate for the data collected?
- Does the author(s) make a useful contribution to the knowledge of transportation and could it have long term value?
- Does the author(s) make good use of the diagrams, figures or data to support their arguments? Are any missing, that should be there?
- Do the conclusions flow from the material presented in the paper?
- How could the paper be made even stronger?
Opportunities for Improvement
Weaknesses
Here are some questions you can consider as you prepare the critique of the paper:
- Is the article well written and easily understood with clear objectives and reasonable conclusions?
- Does the author(s) address a tangible problem in society and provide an insightful discussion?
- Does the author(s) present convincing data and other evidence to support their position?
- Is the methodology technically sound and appropriate for the data collected?
- Does the author(s) make a useful contribution to the knowledge of transportation and could it have long term value?
- Does the author(s) make good use of the diagrams, figures or data to support their arguments? Are any missing, that should be there?
- Do the conclusions flow from the material presented in the paper?
- How would you recommend that the author(s) could improve the paper?
What did you learn?
This is your opportunity to assess the intrinsic value of the paper from your own perspective.
What surprised you most?
Did anything challenge your prior impressions?
Did you learn anything about organizing a paper, or what to avoid?
Are you convinced by the analysis, or skeptical of its validity?
Sample Solution