The research paper titled “Perceived and actual academic competence in maltreated

children” by Kinard, E.M (2001) aims to identify whether maltreated children differ

from non-maltreated children academically, while also looking at their self

assessments of self-worth and self assessments of their abilities. This examination of

Kinard’s (2001) research paper will critically assess the hypothesis, the variables and

the literature review within the introduction to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

Critique of the Research Problem and Research Hypothesis

1) Is the hypothesis stated or implied?

A hypothesis is a formal statement that states a relationship between two variables

and must be clearly testable (Babbie, 2010). Throughout the Kinard (2001) report I

found that the hypothesis was implied, which can be seen as a negative as it can leave

the reader unsure of what the predicted outcome is. The reader’s understanding of the

aim of the article therefore may or may not be the same as those of who conduct the

research and what they observed (Oxman & Guyatt, 1988). Yet instead of stating a

relationship and aiming to prove/disprove that hypothesis the paper does ask two main

questions that the research aims to answer. These two questions are

“1) do maltreated children differ from non-maltreated children in the

accuracy of estimating academic competence; and 2) are discrepancies

between children’s perceived and actual academic competence related

to children’s perceptions of support from mothers, teachers, and peers”

(Kinard, E.M (2001). Perceived and actual academic competence in maltreated

children. Child Abuse and Neglect. pg.35)

 2) Are the independent variables, dependent variables and study of

population easily identified?

To start with, a variable can be an object, idea, event or anything that can be measured

while a study population is the group/s being assessed. When defining a variable

there are two types that will be examined here, these are independent and dependant

variables. Independent variables (IV) are factors which are not changed from other

variables (these can be age, sex, location and so on) while dependant variables (DV)

can be influenced by other factors (such as a DV of test results can be influenced by

how much study was done, what resources are available and so on). (Oxman &

Guyatt, 1988).

In Kinard (2001) report the IV and DV listed which is a positive outcome for the

readers of this article. In the hypotheses, the independent variable (IV) is of the

treatment of the children (maltreated and non-maltreated). The dependent variables

are the children’s self assessments, academic achievements and perceptions of support

from their mothers, teachers and peers. As for the study population Kinards (2001)

article does not clearly identify the group but it is implied to be that of school aged

children.

Critique of the Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

1) Does it identify what is known and unknown?

A literature review is a structure that develops a solid knowledge base determining

what is known or unknown and relevance about the research article (Babbie, 2010)

The main concern that I found in Kinard’s article (2001) is that the IV of maltreated

children is a very broad and known area that can range from sexual, emotional and
physical abuse and therefore needs further clarification and pre-review support. In

addition, Kinard (2001) begins to talk about sexually abused children yet does not

state whether this will be the form of maltreatment in the study population.

2) Are most sources reviewed primary or secondary?

Primary sources are those papers that are written by the person who conducts the

research while secondary sources are written by someone other than the original

author/s and provide interpretations. Kinard (2001) uses mainly primary sources as

shown through his references. In addition he also uses some of his previous papers

within this current research article.

Conclusion

While the hypothesis is implied the aims are clearly stated in the article. Primary

sources are mainly used yet there is insufficient literature and clarification on the

form/s of maltreatment being examined. Finally the independent/dependent variables

are clearly stated while the reader is left to assume what the study population is.

Clearly Kinard’s (2001) introduction to his research is balanced with strengths and

weaknesses.
 Reference

Babbie, E. M (2010) The Practice of Social Research (12th ed.). Belmont, CA,
USA: Wadsworth

Kinard, E.M. (2001). Perceived and Actual Competence in Maltreated

Children. Child abuse and
Neglect, 25, 33-45

Oxman, D., & Guyatt,. Gordon, H. (1988).Guidelines for reading literature

reviews. Special Article, 38 (1), 697-703.