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Case Study

Based on Elena's search, explain which article is an empirical research report and which is not. Justify your answer using the definition and structure of an empirical research report.

Case context: A student researcher, Elena, is searching for articles on how study breaks affect learning. She finds two articles in a professional journal. Article A describes a study where the authors recruited 50 college students, measured their learning before and after breaks, and reported the statistical results and conclusions. Article B summarizes the findings of 25 previously published papers on study breaks to discuss overall trends, but does not present any new studies or original methodology.

Question: Based on Elena's search, explain which article is an empirical research report and which is not. Justify your answer using the definition and structure of an empirical research report.

Sample answer: Article A is an empirical research report because it presents the results of a new study conducted by the authors, including specific methodology (recruiting 50 students, measuring learning) and findings. Article B is not an empirical research report because it only summarizes past studies and does not present any new studies, original methodology, or new findings.

Key points:

  • Identifies Article A as the empirical research report.
  • Explains that Article A details a new study conducted by the authors.
  • Notes that Article A presents specific methodology and original findings.
  • Explains that Article B is a summary of past work and contains no new studies or original methodology.

Rubric: Full credit requires: 1) Correctly identifying Article A as the empirical research report and Article B as not. 2) Justifying that Article A presents a new study conducted by the authors. 3) Justifying that Article A details specific methodology and findings, whereas Article B does not.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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