You should choose
a recent research article (primary literature – NOT a review or meta–analysis – published 2018, or more recently) that is relevant to the course (is a research study in the area of
biological psychology). The focus of the commentary is on what you think is an important research study that advanced our knowledge and understanding of the topic. The elements used to evaluate the commentary are discussed below.
a recent research article (primary literature – NOT a review or meta–analysis – published 2018, or more recently) that is relevant to the course (is a research study in the area of
biological psychology). The focus of the commentary is on what you think is an important research study that advanced our knowledge and understanding of the topic. The elements used to evaluate the commentary are discussed below.
The marking scheme is also included for your information.
Please include a descriptive and unique title for your commentary (don’t just use
the research article’s title).
You should structure your commentary as follows:
–An introduction to the topic and brief review/overview of the existing knowledge
on the topic prior to the publication of the research study (include why this study
was performed – what was the gap in our knowledge that it filled?);
–A brief description of what was found in the research study (aka the results), and
the methods, if relevant;
–A commentary on the significance/importance of the results and how the research
study has advanced the field and/or our knowledge on the topic (see #4 below);
–Reference list and a screenshot of the research article first page (this will have an
abstract and the author information). Please note that you do not have to include an
abstract for your own commentary paper.
4. In your commentary section (the majority of your paper), you should highlight the major points of the research, commenting on potential implications and significance. Rather than a critique that looks at negative aspects of the paper, you are commenting on the strengths of the research and why it is important: How does
this research advance the field, provide support for an existing theory or model, lead to new understanding of biological psychology, etc. You should discuss the new research in light of previous research in the field, clearly identifying a ‘gap’ in this previous knowledge and discussing why this new research is significant. This is
where your insightfulness will be assessed.
Please include a descriptive and unique title for your commentary (don’t just use
the research article’s title).
You should structure your commentary as follows:
–An introduction to the topic and brief review/overview of the existing knowledge
on the topic prior to the publication of the research study (include why this study
was performed – what was the gap in our knowledge that it filled?);
–A brief description of what was found in the research study (aka the results), and
the methods, if relevant;
–A commentary on the significance/importance of the results and how the research
study has advanced the field and/or our knowledge on the topic (see #4 below);
–Reference list and a screenshot of the research article first page (this will have an
abstract and the author information). Please note that you do not have to include an
abstract for your own commentary paper.
4. In your commentary section (the majority of your paper), you should highlight the major points of the research, commenting on potential implications and significance. Rather than a critique that looks at negative aspects of the paper, you are commenting on the strengths of the research and why it is important: How does
this research advance the field, provide support for an existing theory or model, lead to new understanding of biological psychology, etc. You should discuss the new research in light of previous research in the field, clearly identifying a ‘gap’ in this previous knowledge and discussing why this new research is significant. This is
where your insightfulness will be assessed.
5. Length: Approximately 5 pages, double–spaced (not including references or title
page). You must write in the 3 rd –person and be concise.
page). You must write in the 3 rd –person and be concise.