Scientific Knowledge,
Contributions, and Methodology
Give me the direction to
analyze this article:
Incarceration, Addiction and Harm
Reduction: Inmates Experience Injecting Drugs in Prison. By: Small, Will; Kain,
S.; Laliberte, Nancy; Schechter, Martin; O’shaughnessy, Michael; Spittal,
Patricia. Substance Use & Misuse. 2005, Vol. 40 Issue 6, p831-843. 13p.
1. What was the methodology used
in the article (qualitative or quantitative)?
2. What was the approach used in
the article? (If your article was qualitative, the approaches include case
study, phenomenology, ethnography, and grounded theory. If your article
was quantitative, the three
approaches are experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental.)
3. In order for research to have
scientific merit in psychology, it must contribute new, meaningful knowledge to
the field of psychology. In a few sentences, summarize the new knowledge that
was contributed by this research. Then, write one or two paragraphs explaining
how this knowledge is meaningful to psychology as a science. Also address the
importance of the application of this knowledge by psychologists (and other
professionals) in real-world settings.
4. In order for research to have
scientific merit in psychology, it must advance psychological theories. In one
or two paragraphs, describe the theoretical foundations of the research and how
the research advanced those. For example, the research may have tested,
confirmed, extended, or modified a theory. Perhaps it generated a new theory.
5. Describe the sample and the
sampling procedure (the way in which the participants were selected). Avoid
quoting the article, and use your own descriptions. Evaluate whether the sample
and sampling procedures were appropriate for the methodology and approach.
6. Describe the data-collection
procedure. This would start after participants gave informed consent, and end
when the participants have completed the study. Avoid quoting the article, and use
your own descriptions. If your methodology was qualitative, you might be
describing interview procedures, for example. If your methodology was
quantitative, make sure you describe any group assignment methods or any
repeated measures (such as a pretest or post test). Evaluate whether the
data-collection procedure was appropriate for the methodology and approach.
7. Describe the data-analysis
procedure. You need only describe the procedure or the statistical tests (if
your methodology was quantitative). Avoid quoting the article and use your own
descriptions. Evaluate whether the data-analysis procedure was appropriate for
the methodology and approach.
8. Describe the findings and the
conclusions the researchers made. Evaluate whether the conclusions allowed the
researchers to answer the research questions and address the research problem.





