This assignment is designed to help you develop three complementary skills that are essential for academic research: (1) reading scholarly work critically, (2) writing constructive and professional peer reviews for journals, and (3) serving effectively as a discussant at conferences. Over the course of the assignment, each student will read all four assigned papers, but will take primary responsibility for one paper as both a reviewer and discussant.

Assignment Structure

• Reading: All students must read all four assigned papers carefully. This ensures that you are familiar with the full set of contributions and can engage thoughtfully in discussion.
• Paper Assignment: Each student will be assigned one paper for which they will prepare both a written referee report and an in-class presentation, taking the role of the primary reviewer/discussant.
• Class Presentation (15–20 minutes): Each student will give a 15–20 minute presentation on their assigned paper. The presentation should (1) summarize the paper’s main research question, key findings, and the analytical approach used to reach those findings; and (2) offer a critical evaluation of the paper’s strengths, weaknesses, and contributions. This format mirrors how discussants present and critique papers at academic conferences.
• Written Review (at least 1,000 words): Submit a professional referee report in the style of a scholarly journal review. This should reflect careful evaluation and constructive feedback.
• Peer Engagement: During your classmates’ presentations, you are expected to ask at least one thoughtful question or raise a comment about the other papers. This simulates the role of engaged participants and discussants at academic conferences.

What to Address in Your Written Review

• Briefly summarize the paper’s main research question, theoretical motivation, approach, and key findings.
• Evaluate the paper’s contribution and positioning within the relevant scholarly literature.
• Assess the appropriateness and rigor of the data and methods used to support the analysis.
• Evaluate the clarity, coherence, and strength of the paper’s arguments and conclusions.
• Identify any major limitations, weaknesses, or areas where the analysis or exposition could be improved.
• Provide constructive, professional feedback and concrete suggestions that could help the authors strengthen the paper. The suggestions should be itemized, but each item should be written in a narrative format, explaining the reasoning behind the suggestion.

What to Address in Your Class Presentation

• Provide a clear and concise overview of the paper’s research question, theoretical motivation, and core contributions.
• Summarize the key findings and explain how the authors arrived at these findings, including their data, methods, and analytical approach.
• Highlight the paper’s strengths, contributions, and any particularly novel aspects of the research.
• Critically assess the paper’s weaknesses, limitations, or areas that could be improved, drawing on evidence from the text or relevant literature.
• Offer constructive suggestions and questions that could help strengthen the paper, similar to how a discussant would engage with the work at an academic conference.
• Conclude with one or two thoughtful discussion questions to prompt class engagement.