help me with critique case study please .............

here is the paper which be found on online or scopus or google scholar: Characterization and genetic dissection of resistance to spotted alfalfa aphid (Therioaphis trifolii) in Medicago truncatula

by Lars G.Kamphuis1,2, *, , JudithLichtenzveig1,3, *, KefanPeng1, , Su-MinGuo1,4, , John P.Klingler1,|| , Kadambot H.M.Siddique2 , Ling-LingGao1 and Karam B.Singh1,2

here are the questions for case study :

Elements to be critiqued To assist you with your appraisal of the steps in the research process, we have compiled a list of questions around each of the elements to be critiqued. These questions can be used to stimulate discussion between your group and your mentor, and amongst yourselves.

Step 1 - the title [For your information only, you are not required to critique the title in your response] Does the title indicate clearly what the research is all about? Is the title too long or too short? This title should be relatively short and should clearly identify the purpose of the study. Jargon should be avoided. If this step is not relevant to your case study, then leave this step out.

2 Step 2 - the abstract [For your information only, you are not required to critique the abstract in your response] The research paper should include a succinct summary . You would expect the abstract to give information on the aims (purpose) of the study and why it was undertaken, what methods were used to collect and analyse data, what were the main findings, and what were the main conclusions, recommendations, and implications of the research. Examine the abstract, considering the following questions: Does it outline the purpose of the research and why it was undertaken? Does it give details on methods used to undertake the research? Does it summarise the main findings? Does it outline the significance and implications of the research?

Step 3 - the research problem The paper you are critiquing should contain an introduction section that identifies the research problem. This gives the background for the purpose and rationale of the research. Use the opportunity to discuss the rationale for the research with your mentor, asking them why the research was conducted (the rationale for conducting the research). Is the research problem clearly and concisely stated? Is the research problem adequately focused?

tep 4 - the literature review The primary purpose of the literature review (incorporated into the Introduction section or may be a separate section) is to give an overview of the available literature that frames the research problem. It will assist the researcher with the identification of research gaps, the development of their research question and hypotheses, and the selection of appropriate methods for data collection. Did the researcher(s) produce an 'up to date' literature review that shows that they are familiar with the pertinent literature? (This might be included within the 'Introduction' of a published paper/thesis/report/proposal). Have any important relevant references been omitted? Is the review relevant and of sufficient depth and breadth? (Or does it demonstrate bias in the selection of former research?). Are most of the sources included primary or secondary in nature? Did the researcher critique past studies, or did they only provide a summary of findings? Does the literature review link current findings (research) with past findings (research) (In other words, is the link between the study and previous studies clear, is the study a logical progression from the reviewed literature?) Is relevant conceptual and theoretical background outlined? 3 Does the literature review identify gaps in the knowledge which their research will fill? Is the literature review logically organised?

Step 5 - the research question The aim of the study should be clearly stated and should convey the main purpose of the study. If appropriate, hypotheses should also be developed for testing. In the case of experimental studies where one or more variables are manipulated, a hypothesis that predicts the outcomes of this manipulation should be stated. Discuss the research question and hypotheses to be tested for your case study with your mentor. Is the research question clearly identified? Is the research question focused and 'researchable'? Is the problem expressed in the form of a testable hypothesis? If appropriate, is a predicted relationship between two or more variables included in the hypothesis? Is the researcher familiar with appropriate background information (literature) that is relevant to their research question? Is the relationship of the research question to previous research clear?

Step 6 - the research design The research design used by the researcher should be appropriate to the research question being investigated. Does the study identify the main research methodologies used? Is there a clear rationale as to why this approach was or will be selected? Does the design match the objectives/aims of the study? In other words, is the research method appropriate for the research question? In the case of a quantitative study, is the design experimental, quasi-experimental or non-experimental?

Step 7 - the sample and sample size The sample being studied should be representative of the target population as a whole to ensure that findings are generalizable. Is the 'population' under study clearly identified? Is the sample representative of the defined population? Is the method for selection of samples appropriate? Was there any sampling bias evident? How were samples included/recruited? Randomly? If random sampling adopted, what measures were used to collect random samples? Was convenience sampling used? 4 Is the sample size adequate? How many samples were included? Was this replication sufficient? (The 'larger' the better for sample size, especially if the effects that you are hoping to detect are subtle/small). Does the sampling approach allow the results to be generalised? Was a pilot study used to refine and improve the methodology?

Step 8 - the data collection methods Research projects should detail how and where data were collected and what tools were used for this data collection. Are the data collection methods appropriate for the study? What tools were used to collect the data? Were these the most appropriate methods to use? Are they adequately described? Are the reliability and validity of the measurement tools adequate? Were data collected once or on several occasions? Was there any source of bias in the way that data were collected? Are the variables studied clearly identified? Were independent and dependent variables clearly identified? Were these variables measurable? Were the data generated 'quantitative' or 'qualitative' in nature?

Step 9 - data analysis The procedures followed for data analysis should be suitable for the types of data collected and clearly portrayed. Generally, qualitative (descriptive) studies usually use descriptive statistics, quantitative (correlational, quasi-experimental and experimental) studies usually use inferential statistics. The latter could involve measuring relationships and testing for significant differences among variables. What aids and tools (computer programs, statistics packages) were used to analyse the data? Was the analysis approach a logical way of dealing with the data? Was the type of analysis appropriate for the level of measurement for each variable? What statistical tests were used and were these appropriate? For completed studies, were all data taken into account, if not, why not? 5

Step 10 - the presentation of results Results need to be presented clearly and should answer the research questions. Tables and figures should be used to summarise and enhance the presentation of results and should be accurate. If published, were the results clearly and logically organised? Are the main and secondary results presented (or planned to be presented) clearly outlined and directly linked to the aims of the study? Are descriptive statistics clearly presented, easy to follow and a valid representation of the data? Are complex results presented (or planned to be presented) in appropriate tables and figures that can 'stand-alone' and be understood without too much reference to text? If the research is at an early stage, ask the researcher what types of tables and figures they are likely to be using to display their data. Are the results presented statistically significant?

Step 11 - interpretation and discussion of results Any discussion of the results should be based on the data and the research question/hypothesis being investigated. This discussion should also relate back to the knowledge base (literature review) of that topic. Any interpretations and inferences made should be supported by the results. Consideration should be given as to whether the findings of the study were generalizable, and limitation of the study should be acknowledged. Are the interpretations based on the data obtained? Did the researcher evaluate and interpret the research results in relation to the research question/hypotheses being tested? Has the researcher highlighted the most important results? Was the researcher able to demonstrate fresh insights or a new perspective on the topic being researched? Are the findings discussed in relation to previous research? Were there any areas of agreement and disagreement with the findings of other studies? In other words, have the results been used to support or refute the results of other studies? Are any suggestions made for alternative ways of interpreting the data? Are claims made or inferred as to the generalisation of the results, are these claims justifiable and if so, why or why not? Is it made clear as whether this was a 'replication' study, or something completely new? Are limitations of the study recognised? Were there any suggestions for future research? Have any recommendations been made based on the research? 6

Step 12 - the reference list Publications resulting from your case study should conclude with an accurate list of all the articles, books, reports and other sources that were referred to in the work. If the research has been published, are all the sources cited clearly and with full bibliographic details provided? Have they used a wide range of articles from older 'seminal' works to more contemporary literature? If the research is at an early stage, discuss with your mentor how they have gone about searching for relevant literature.