Consider the title (Before Reading)
The title invokes insights on the link between using recreational cannabis and developing depression and anxiety. Through the title, readers are able to realize that a sample of participants is involved in developing the findings of the research. The title also indicates that the research pertains to the subject of using cannabis after its legalization in Colorado. Additionally, the title also shows that the sample participants are college campus students and are both users and non-users of cannabis. The article shows that reading the report, one should expect to learn if using recreational cannabis contributes to depression and anxiety. Also, the title shows that one should find out if the impacts of using recreational cannabis have become more adverse after its legalization in Colorado.
Process Reflection
Considering the title is a good way to prepare what to anticipate in the reading. The title mentions keywords that are critical to the entire content in the report. The title also gives the report a theme and a central idea in the reader’s mindset as they read through. The process also sets the reader alert and in suspense about the reading’s content.
Read the abstract (Before reading)
After reading the abstract, I expect to find details mentioning the relationship between using recreational cannabis and processing emotion. The abstract indicates that the report contains presentations of findings of the levels of depressions and negative moods that various cannabis users experience. Also, the abstract indicates that the authors mention the analysis of the findings and results obtained from the data they collect. Through the abstract, readers are made aware that a range of measuring techniques are applied for mood assessments among the participants involved.
Process Reflection
Reading the abstract gives a reader a heads up on what to expect in the report. It offers a brief summary of the entire report and is focal in presenting the general idea behind the subject under study. Reading the abstract entices one to read the report further and sparks one’s curiosity on what to anticipate in the reading. Reading the abstract is essential as it allows one to identify the authors’ conclusions with regard to the methods they have applied in their research.
Identifying the hypothesis (During Reading)
The researchers’ hypothesis is identifying the best legal framework for adopting the recreational use of cannabis that will not have adversities to users’ mood and anxiety. Because using cannabis has been identified to contribute to negative moods and predisposes users to depressive symptoms, the researchers assert that an effective legal structure should be implemented for regulating recreational marijuana. Through the hypothesis, the researchers open the subject for further research, which will assist in developing the most effective legal framework.
Process Reflection
The process of identifying the hypothesis first while reading the report allows readers to gain insights into the authors even before reading the report further. It gives one the direction that the research aims to address hence making it easy to understand.
Engaging in self-explanation (During Reading)
Scientific methods and procedures are applied by the researchers during the study. The researchers use statistical techniques to collect data and analyze it. Questionnaires were distributed to participants in the study with the aim to collect data regarding their mood and emotions as well as their demographic data. Also, the researchers present their findings through tables, figures, and charts. Using such presentation formats makes reading the findings clear and easy to understand. Additionally, the researchers implement a range of formulas and equations to draw conclusions from their findings. The formulas assist in breaking down the accurate meaning of the findings.
Process Reflection
Engaging in self-explanation while reading the report allows the reader to be keener. Self-explanation is a great way of allowing one to concentrate deeply on the article they are engaging with. Through the process, readers individually identify the areas that interest them the most and the ones that create an awakening and educative moment.
Formulating an overall opinion (After Reading)
The research concludes that the recreational use of cannabis is linked to anxiety and mood disorder symptoms. According to the data collected during the study, a subsequent cannabis legalization model could potentially lead to minimizing exposure to cannabis, which could lead to regulating negative mood states, especially depressive symptoms. Also, the researchers’ data show a unique relationship between infrequent and frequent cannabis users and mood. The researchers point out that high levels of negative mood outcomes arising from using cannabis are associated with individuals who are dose-dependent. According to the report, the higher the levels of cannabis use, the greater the deficit in the mood. The researchers’ data also indicate that infrequent users are also highly susceptible to negative mood. Casual cannabis users are strongly linked to developing pre-depression symptomology similar to dose-dependent users and controls.
I side with the conclusions of the report. Recreational use of cannabis is a trigger to depressive symptoms and could lead to negative moods and anxiety. Both casual users and frequent users of cannabis are indeed at risk of developing mood/anxiety disorder symptoms. An effective cannabis legalization model should be developed to regulate the exposure of cannabis.
A key strength of the report is its inclusion of different measuring techniques in gauging mood/anxiety disorder for cannabis users. The researchers apply detailed data collecting and analyzing method that provides readers with sufficient information on the research process. Such methods clarify where the authors draw their conclusions. However, the report’s complex data collecting and analyzing technique used also makes it difficult for readers with less knowledge of psychology to understand. The results of the research are presented through formulas, charts, and tables that are complex for the basic reader to comprehend.
Process Reflection
Formulating an overall opinion after reading the report assists in reflecting on the material presented by the authors. It is an effective way of gauging if one has grasped the concept and information presented in the reading. Additionally, formulating an overall opinion is a way of comparing one’s synthesis and summary of a research study to that of others who have read the same article. The process requires the reader to concentrate while reading the report to identify the fine details presented in the reading.
Extend the study (After reading)
One way I would extend this study would be through conducting further research on the subject. Reviewing other literature pertaining to the topic is a good way of doing additional research. Also, undertaking similar field research on the subject would assist in gaining additional ideas surrounding the connection between using recreational cannabis and anxiety and negative moods. Several things that are unknown regarding the topic still linger. One of them is other health impacts surrounding the recreational use of cannabis. Additional research should be undertaken on the health effects of using recreational cannabis.
Process Reflection
Extending the study will be essential in understanding the subject better. Extra research opens one to diverse perspectives regarding the impacts of recreational use of cannabis. Also, digging deeper into the areas that the study does not mention is a way of learning more about the subject.