Is This a Scholarly Journal Article? | U of G Library, Feb. 25, 2020
Most scholarly research articles follow a specific format with the following sections:
• Abstract – A quick summary of the entire article.
• Introduction – The purpose/hypothesis of the study is articulated, and the previous research framing the current question is reviewed. (“What We Already Know and What We Want to Know”)
• Methodology – A very precise accounting how the study was carried out - who were the subjects, under what conditions were they tested, etc. (“What We Did”)
• Results – The data from the study. Often presented with dense mathematical formulas, and with charts, graphs, or other visual representations. (“Our Numbers”)
• Discussion – A narrative review of the data and whether it proved or disproved the original thesis. (“What We Found Out and Why It’s Important”)
• Conclusion – Usually restates the results in more straightforward language and discusses future directions for research. (“What We Still Don’t Know”)
• References – The research the authors consulted to inform their own thoughts and design their study.
What is your research question?
When you select an article to read for a project or class, focus on your topic. Look for information in the article that is relevant to your research question.
Read the Abstract first as it covers basics of the article. Questions to consider:
Second: Read the Introduction and Discussion/Conclusion. These sections offer the main argument and hypothesis of the article. Questions to consider for the introduction:
Questions for the discussion and conclusion:
Next: Read about the Methods/Methodology. If what you've read addresses your research question, this should be your next section. Questions to consider:
Finally: Read the Results and Analysis. Now read the details of this research. What did the researchers learn? If graphs and statistics are confusing, focus on the explanations around them. Questions to consider:
Review the References (anytime): These give credit to other scientists and researchers and show you the basis the authors used to develop their research. The list of references, or works cited, should include all of the materials the authors used in the article. The references list can be a good way to identify additional sources of information on the topic. Questions to ask:
How to Read and Comprehend Scientific Articles, video courtesy of University of Minnesota Libraries