How to Read Scientific Articles
Tips for Reading Scholarly Articles
| Step 1 | Read and consider the article title | This will give you clues about the topic Ask yourself: Is the article still relevant to your research topic? |
| Step 2 | Scan the headings/sections of the article | This will give you more clues about the topic Ask yourself: Is the article still relevant to your research topic? |
| Step 3 | Read the abstract | This is the summary of the article, usually dense with information. New articles may include keywords supplied by the author(s). Scan these keywords to:
Ask yourself: Is the article still relevant to your research topic? |
| Step 4 | Read the first few paragraphs of the Discussion section | This section will include a summary of the major findings from the study and will:
|
| Step 5 | Read the remaining sections of the article | Before you read a section, convert the headings into a question. This will set the context for what you will learn in that section. Seek out the answer to this question as you read the section. Read the Introduction carefully - spend time here! The Introduction will provide background information about the topic and summarize previous research. Make a note of the hypothesis found in the Introduction section. Suggested order of reading: Introduction, Discussion, Results, then the Methods section. Ask yourself: Is the article still relevant to your research topic? |
| Step 6 | Examine the Works Cited/References | Note other relevant studies on the topic and locate these publications through CBU Library databases. |
Adapted from Camosun College research guide: Searching the Health Sciences Databases
Parts of a Research Article
Reading a Scholarly Article
- How to read a scientific paper for nurses - types of Scientific papersThe guide has been developed for nurses, both those with few research skills and
who want to understand scientific research, and those who have some research
expertise but who want to know more. The guide is also a useful tool for other
health professionals.
Questions to ask when reading a paper
Question |
Where to look in the article |
|---|---|
| Is the article of interest? | Title / Abstract |
| Why was the article written? | Introduction |
| How was the article done? | Methods / Methodology |
| What has the article found? | Results |
| What are the implications of the article? | Abstract / Discussion |
| What else is of interest? | Introduction / Discussion |
Based on Crombie, I.K. (1996) Research in health care: design, conduct, and interpretation of health services research. West Sussex: Wiley.
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