Title of journal, volume number, date, month and page numbers 4. The literature review describes what is already known about a topic. How To Read a Scholarly Journal Article (YouTube Video). What is the working hypothesis or underlying thesis? Use the abstract to filter out sources that may have appeared useful when you began searching for information but, in reality, are not relevant. If it appears, look for a "cited by" link followed by a number. This is not an easy read, being aimed at university students... and their lecturers. However, in the social and behavioral sciences, journal articles and stand-alone research reports are generally organized in a consistent format that makes it easier to compare studies and decipher their contents. Some of the codes could be helpful for most student guidance, particularly being able to identify critiques of previous literature, gaps and findings in articles and synthesising them to produce rationales for their own research. 0000005481 00000 n General Reading Strategies. Pat Thomson clarifies the core components of a journal article introduction and argues it should be thought of as a kind of mini-thesis statement, with the what, why and how of the argument spelled out in advance of the extended version. They reveal how the author(s) interpreted the findings of their research and presented recommendations or courses of action based on those findings. Read on. This is a very practical guide for students in second/third year. Below are recommendations on how to read each section of a research paper effectively. was conducted by author(s) based in a different discipline [e.g., an anthropologist studying political cultures] because it can, generate a new understanding or a unique perspective about the topic, Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper, Anatomy of a Scholarly Article (Interactive tutorial), How to Read an Article in a Scholarly Journal (Research Guide). Effectively reading scholarly research is an acquired skill that involves attention to detail and an ability to comprehend complex. Here are some examples: Laubepin, Frederique. The references list the sources used by the author(s) to document what prior research and information was used by when designing their study. Questions to consider when reading the literature review include: What does prior research reveal about what is already known about the topic and what remains to be discovered? When you first read an article or research paper, focus on asking specific questions about each section. A useful companion to this book is Shon’s book in the same series The Quick Fix Guide to Academic Writing: How to avoid big mistakes and small errors, which uses the reading codes as a means of developing academic writing. However, this implies that some studies are worth reading carefully. Do you believe conclusions about the significance of the study and its findings are valid? Chapter 7: Will the Reading Code Organization Sheet Work on Non-social Science Texts? The same strategies described above can applied to reading articles you find by reviewing any cited by references. %PDF-1.3 %���� Chapter 2: Trying to Fix Mechanical and Structural Writing Problems with Abstract Tools, Chapter 3: Should I even Read This? In this monthly series, Dr. Angel Borja draws on his extensive background as an author, reviewer and editor to give advice on preparing the manuscript (author's view), the evaluation process (reviewer's view) and what there is to hate or love in a paper (editor's view). A good place to start is: - Social Science and Medicine - Bulletin of … Taking notes as you read will save time when you go back to examine your sources. There are step by step practical procedures that enable students to consider the challenges initially faced when reading journal articles. A good scholarly source is, Mark or highlight important text as you read [e.g., you can use the, Highlight important quotations; consider using different colors to differentiate between quotes and other types of important text. I have used the book over the last five years with my students (many of whom are international and studying in a second language) with great success. Read content out of order! What specific problem does the research address and why is it important? However, in the social and behavioral sciences, journal articles and stand-alone research reports are generally organized in a consistent format that makes it easier to compare studies and decipher their contents. 0000001208 00000 n are confusing, focus on the explanations about them in the text. 1). I recommend it to both students and colleagues. This information is usually located within the first few paragraphs of the introduction. However, I believe that it could be useful for teachers who despair at their pupils’ poor reading habits and/or low retention rates. This is particularly important if the study was published very recently because the author(s) should cite all or most of the key prior research on the topic. 0000001383 00000 n After reviewing the article or research paper, use the references to identify additional sources of information on the topic and to examine critically how these sources supported the overall research agenda. Name(s) of the author(s) 2. Does the conclusion contain any recommendations for future research? First of all, for any type of journal article your critique should include some basic information: 1. Use the abstract to filter out sources that may have appeared useful when you began searching for information but, in reality, are not relevant. Write persuasively using formal academic language and style. Is there any prior research that is unique or groundbreaking? What is the author(s) trying to test or demonstrate? Such systems have great benefit for students who do not take easily to reading for academic purposes. If what you have read so far closely supports your understanding of the topic, then move on to examining how the author(s) gathered information during the research process. The Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan has a great three page guide, How to Read (and Understand) a Social Science Journal Article (pdf) that breaks down the parts of a journal article (e.g., title, abstract, introduction, literature review, etc.) Additional examples across a range of subjects, including education, health and sociology as well as criminology, Refined terminology for students in the UK, as well as around the world. This number indicates how many times the study has been subsequently cited in other, more recently published works. Are there any studies I could use as a model for designing and organizing my own study? Its no-nonsense, practical approach uses a specially developed reading code to help you read articles for your research project; this simple code enables you to decipher journal articles structurally, mechanically and grammatically. After reviewing the article or research paper, use the references to identify additional sources of information on the topic and to examine critically how these sources supported the overall research agenda. Head of the Graduate School of Education, the University of Edinburgh, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of the West of England, Early Years, Farnborough College of Technology, Dept of Care and Early Years, Weston College, Institute for Work Based Learning, Middlesex University, Resources to help you transition to teaching online, Research Methods, Statistics & Evaluation, Manage large amounts of information in an easily identifiable and retrievable format. ��3�3. The Reading Code Sheet developed by Chong Ho Shon is particularly useful when putting this book into practice. How to Read (and Understand) a Social Science Journal Article. The journal features articles that illustrate the use of quantitative methods to empirically test social science theory. This can be effective for expanding your review of pertinent literature based on a study you find useful. They. [i.e., how have the author(s) addressed the ". Laubepin argues, "Very few articles in a field are so important that every word needs to be read carefully." Having used the reading codes myself, I would recommend it as a valuable resource for students to quickly ascertain relevant content within articles. The book has the potential to interest students in a very systematic way to read academic articles. Questions to consider when reading the discussion and conclusion sections include: The methods section describes the materials, techniques, and procedures for gathering information used to examine the research problem. Your review should include description, ... Social Science Research, 42(1), 46-58. This superb guide teaches you how to read critically. Please refer to our updated inspection copy policy for full details. Writing for a professional journal is quite different from other types of professional writing. H�b```� ��N� ��ea�``�7b��P��������|��dߕPqu\�v���Qآ���J���h�1� Therefore, read the results section to identify how key findings were discussed in relation to the research problem. Questions to consider when reading the introduction include: The literature review describes what is already known about a topic. Questions to consider when reading the references include: Are there any unique or interesting sources that could be incorporated into my study? Look up the definitions of unfamiliar words, concepts, or terminology. Its practical guidance is offered in clear and accessible ways. are confusing, focus on the explanations about them in the text. Questions to consider when reading the abstract are: If, after reading the abstract, you believe the paper may be useful, focus on examining the research problem and identifying the questions the author is trying to address. What conclusions do you formulate from this data and does it match with the author's conclusions? Think critically about what you read and seek to build your own arguments; not everything may be entirely valid, examined effectively, or thoroughly investigated. offers plenty of examples of effective communication strategies that are utilized in scientific writing. Instructors: To support your transition to online learning, please see our resources and tools page whether you are teaching in the UK, or teaching outside of the UK. What limitations of the study do the author(s) describe and how might this help formulate my own research? From how to think critically and write great essays to planning your dream career, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university. ... She has a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences from Liverpool Polytechnic and a postgraduate law degree from Staffordshire University. Identifying a research problem to investigate usually requires a preliminary review of the literature so as to gain an understanding about how scholars have approached examining a topic. 18 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 20 /H [ 944 285 ] /L 99115 /E 76554 /N 4 /T 98637 >> endobj xref 18 22 0000000016 00000 n Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips and resources for study success! Feedback. July 2015 | 144 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd. What is the overall meaning of the study and why is this important? This is very useful in masters programmes especialy for mature practitioners who have been out of academia for some time. Do I understand the parts of this study most relevant to my topic? Do I understand all of the terminology and key concepts? 0000000787 00000 n Effectively reading scholarly research is an acquired skill that involves attention to detail and an ability to comprehend complex ideas, data, and theoretical concepts in a way that applies logically to the research problem you are investigating. Questions to consider when reading the methods section include: After reading the above sections, you should have a clear understanding of the general findings of the study. What was the type of information or data used? What are the weaknesses in their argument? 0000002566 00000 n Shon provides an excellent guide on how to read journal articles. After reading the above sections, you should have a clear understanding of the general findings of the study. Related Articles. Social Science Research publishes papers devoted to quantitative social science research and methodology. Teachers assume that by the time youngsters reach secondary school age they are competent readers. The abstract summarizes the background, methods, results, discussion, and conclusions of a scholarly article or research paper. Are the results presented in a factual and unbiased way? Is all the data present and did the author(s) adequately address gaps? How to Read the General Literature Review, Psychology Introductions, and Results Sections, Chapter 5: Becoming a Part of the Scholarly Community: How to Read the Discussion and Conclusion, Chapter 6: Highlighting and Organizing the ROF, SPL, CPL, GAP, RFW and POC. The discussion and conclusion are usually the last two sections of text in a scholarly article or research report. How do the findings relate to my research interests and to other works which I have read? recommendations for further research that can be used to develop your own study. 0000030025 00000 n The principal purpose of the journal is to publish scholarly work in the social sciences. What do we already know about this topic and what gaps does this study try to fill or contribute a new understanding to the research problem? Are there words or terminology that I can use to either narrow or broaden the parameters of my search for more information? Focus on information that is most relevant to the research problem; skim over the other parts.

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