Research Critique 1

Aditi Rudrashetty
Research Critique
06/03/23
Dr. Todd Shaw
The first article that is focused on for this research critique is “Health & Place” by Molly
M. Scott, Tamara Dubowitz, and Deborah A. Cohen. This article examines the relationship
between urban sprawl, neighborhood characteristics, and walking behavior in relation to body
mass index (BMI) among African American people and White people. While urban sprawl has
been linked to higher rates of obesity due to its negative impact on physical activity, this study
explores the how African Americans, who despite live in urban neighborhoods with good street
connectivity and walking destinations, still suffer from higher obesity rates. The researchers
analyzed data from a sample of White people and African American people in Los Angeles
County and southern Louisiana, considering factors such as neighborhood safety, street
connectivity, walking destinations, and individual characteristics. The study is able to highlight
the relationship between neighborhood design, race, and obesity, and brings to light the need for
further research in this area.
The purpose of this article (1) appears to be to test a theory. The authors aim to examine
the relationship between neighborhood characteristics, walking behavior, and BMI among White
people and African American people in different regions. The main research problem/research
question of the article (2) is whether differences in neighborhood characteristics explain regional
variations in walking behavior and BMI among White people and African American people. The
authors see the significance of the research question (3) in understanding the role of how despite
African American people living in urban neighborhoods, they still suffer disproportionately from
obesity. The authors contribute to the body of scholarly knowledge (3) by investigating the
impact of built environments on health outcomes in different racial/ethnic groups. The major
theory or paradigm employed by the authors (4) is the link between urban sprawl and obesity.
They explore the idea that poor street connectivity and lack of walking destinations in
neighborhoods can discourage an active lifestyle and contribute to obesity. The method used in
the study (5) involved telephone interviews with a randomly sampled population of White people
and African American people in Los Angeles County and southern Louisiana. The researchers
collected data (5) on walking behavior, BMI, neighborhood safety perceptions, neighborhood
destinations, neighborhood design, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.
The major findings of the study (6) were that while the built environment partly
explained regional differences in walking and BMI among White people, the effect was modest.
However, there were no regional differences in outcomes for African American people.
Individual characteristics rather than neighborhood characteristics served as the best predictors
for African Americans. In terms of critique (7), there is room for improvement in the clarity of
the methodology section. The authors could have provided more detailed information about the
sampling process, participant recruitment, and the specific statistical analyses conducted.
The second article that is focused on for this research critique is Chapter 1 of the textbook
“Uneven Roads.” This chapter examines how race developed as a social construct (in Europe and
the Americas) and interprets demographic and economic data on the racial status of different
groups.
The purpose of this article (1) seems to be to present facts and also discover findings that
might lead to a theory. This is because this chapter provides us with working definitions and
theories of race, racism, and ethnicity. The main research problem/question of this chapter (2) is
if race matters, especially in terms of U.S. politics and economics. The author, Dr. Todd Shaw,
finds this research significant (3) not only because he studies the field of politic science but also
because this is something that effects our futures. The contribution this work is making to the
body of scholarly knowledge is showing how race plays a part in classification and citizenship.
The major theory that the author is employing (4) in this chapter is laying out the groundwork to
explain why and how race has had an impact on racial/ethnic group’s status. All of the data (5) is
pulled from the U.S. Census Bureau and are used to find a lot of the statistics discussed. The
major findings (6) from this data contribute to the levels of racialization (when racial/ethnic
minorities have very limited citizenship rights/opportunities because of racial ordering) and how
the dominant society establishes many roadblock/strong barriers.
When it comes to critique on this chapter (7), there is not much that is needed for
improvement. The only suggestion would be updating this section periodically to account for
recent events and elections that may take place and influence this data.

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Aditi Rudrashetty

Dr. Todd Shaw

further research in this area.

destinations, neighborhood design, and neighborhood socioeconomic status.

the dominant society establishes many roadblock/strong barriers.

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