1. Locate a scholarly journal article that reports quantitative statistics. Although the article does not have to be based on a true experiment, it should report multiple regression, dummy-coded regression, ANCOVA, or a repeated measures ANOVA.
2. Provide a context of the journal article. Include a definition of the specified variables and corresponding scales of measurement. Specify the sample size of the data set. If applicable, discuss why the journal article is relevant to your career specialization.
3. Specify a research question related to the journal article. Articulate the null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis. Specify the alpha level if it is provided in the article.
4. Discuss the assumptions of the statistical test used in the journal article. If possible, identify information in the article that indicates how these assumptions were tested. If no information on assumptions is provided, consider this as a limitation of the reported study.
5. Report the results of the statistical test using proper APA guidelines. This includes the statistical notation (for instance, F, b coefficient, 2), the degrees of freedom, the value of the test statistic (for instance, F, b coefficient, 2) and the p-value. Also, report the effect size and interpretation if one is provided. Interpret the test statistic against the null hypothesis.
6. Discuss the conclusions of the statistical test as it relates to the research question. Conclude with an analysis of the strengths and limitations of the study reported in the journal article.