Critique of a Published Paper in Ecology 2021

Critique: Population dynamics of three brachyuran crab species (Decapoda) in Icelandic waters: impact of recent colonization of the Atlantic rock crab (Cancer irroratus)

  1. What is the major goal of this paper and what motivated the authors to write the paper?
  2. What assumptions do the authors make; what is their point of view; and does it exhibit bias? (This information can be presented in a small table.)
  3. How well does the introduction use previous studies reported in the research literature to support the purpose and rationale of their study? Explain.
  4. Are the methods well-reasoned and explained as to, field and laboratory data collection, experimental design, data analysis, sources of error (as applicable)?
  5. What were the main results of the study and how logical-reasonable-valid are they? (This information can be presented in a small table.)
  6. Where the discussion and conclusions appropriate and useful? Explain your answer.
  7. Identify and explain three strengths of the paper.
  8. Identify and explain three weaknesses of the paper.
  9. If you were the editor of the ICES Journal of Marine Science, would you accept, accept with modifications, reject with some possibility of resubmittal, or reject outright?
  10. What advice would you give the authors to improve their paper? Explain with at least 3 suggestions.

Sample Solution