The references section outlines previous journal articles that form the authors theories about what he or she is studying.  As you look at the references, remember to consider the age of these articles.

• If the majority of the previous studies used here were before 1997, it is likely that the author’s theories about the brain are “old news” and not based on current research about executive functions.  In 1997, Russell Barkley, Ph.D. called on brain researchers to “get busy” figuring out the how, what, where, and why of executive functions.  They did and we have been blessed with a wealth of new information.

• Seeing a lot of research from the 1960’s through the 1980’s and the early 1990’s is a red flag that the author’s theories of the brain are outdated.

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(c) 2013, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.