Assignment Task:
Review the article: Sex differences in the extent of acute axonal pathologies after experimental concussion
For this assignment, you will critically analyze the article to find answers to a series of specific questions about the research design, variables, hypotheses, findings, limitations, and future directions of the research described by the empirical study. Answers must be written in complete sentences and will be graded for accuracy but also depth of detail and critical analysis.
Your submitted Article Analysis assignment should list each of the questions in the assignment guide (see questions listed below; see also Example Article Analysis Assignment), followed by 2-4 Complete sentences that fully answer all parts of each question. Answers must be written in complete sentences and will be graded for accuracy but also depth of detail and critical analysis.
Follow these steps to complete the Article Analysis:
Step 1: Read the peer-reviewed, scientific journal article.
The citation for this article in APA style is:
Song, H., Tomasevich, A., Paolini, A. Browne, K. D., Wofford, K. L., Kelley, B., Kantemneni, E., Kennedy, J., Qui, Y., Schneider, A. L. C., Dolle, J., Cullen, D. K., & Smith, D. H. (2024). Sex differences in the extend of acute axonal pathologies after experimental concussion. Acta Neuropathological, 147 (79), 1-17.
Step 2: List the following questions in a word processing document, using 12-point font and 1-inch margins.
According to the study's authors, what are 2 reasons why it is important for researchers to study concussions (p. 1)? Need Assignment Help?
What are axons and what is their function in the brain? Why do the authors focus on damage to axons in this concussion study (p. 1-2, textbook)?
What are two reasons why it is important to study sex differences in the experience of concussion (p. 2)? How could this have implications in real life, outside of the research setting?
The researchers in this study used a "swine model" to model and examine sex differences in concussion. What is a swine model, and why would they use this method as a way of better understanding concussions in humans (p. 2-3)?
Identify and explain at least 2 ethical issues the researchers had to consider when conducting this study (p. 3, textbook).
What was the researcher's primary research question in this study (p. 1/abstract; p. 2)? Based on their justification for the study (p. 1-3), what do you think their hypothesis was?
Explain what an experimental design is and how you know that the researchers in this study used one (p. 2-3, textbook).
Explain the main results of this study with regard to sex differences in axonal size and amount of small caliber axons, swollen axonal profiles, and loss of axonal sodium channels following concussion (abstract, p. 5-9). Do the results support the researchers' hypotheses? How do you know?
Identify and explain at least 2 strengths of this study (p. 1-14).
Identify and explain at least 2 limitations of this study (p. 14) and how these limitations could be addressed in future research studies. Be specific.
Step 3: Using information from the provided article, answer each question with 2 - 4 complete sentences.
*You also may use information from your textbook. In each question, there are general clues as to where you may find information that is helpful to you in answering them.
Step 4: Check your document to ensure that you have followed ALL instructions, that you have answered ALL questions, and that your answers are clear, accurate, detailed and in complete sentences.
Requirements
Article Analysis assignments should be double spaced, using 12-point font and 1-inch margins. You may NOT copy text directly from the article. When using information from the article, you must paraphrase the content, using your own words and voice.