Every graduate student, postgraduate student, and applicant, beginning his or her academic career, asks the question, how do I write a dissertation? The answer is both simple and complex. To enter the world of scientific problems that require their resolution, you need to read a lot. And not just read, but read scientific literature. And you have to learn how to do that, too.
How to read a scientific paper
Reading a scientific paper is a difficult task. The worst way to handle it is to think of it as reading a textbook and digesting every word without any reflection or critique. Reading scientific articles has nothing to do with reading blog articles or popular science publications, either. A scientific article is not “reading,” but a serious scientific study that requires careful study and reflection with pencil in hand. Reading your first research paper will take a long time, but you will read each subsequent paper faster and easier.
How do I read a research paper?
There are many techniques for reading scientific articles. Everyone follows his or her own method: some read articles first to the end, others start reading from the reference list, some are interested in research methods, others in results and conclusions.
Despite the variety of approaches, there are general guidelines on how to read scientific articles effectively:
- Start with a cursory overview of the article to determine its structure and understand in general terms what it is about. Then, while reading thoughtfully, look for the author’s main ideas. Think about them, ask questions before, during, and after reading the article. Be sure to draw conclusions based on your own experience and existing knowledge. Take notes on what you read and your own thoughts to gain a better understanding.
- Popular Ways to Read Scientific Articles
The ways of reading scientific literature depend on the specialty and qualifications of the reader, and are determined by the field of scientific knowledge, different research methodologies, and scientific traditions.
Method 1. Reading an article by IMRAD elements
There is a generally accepted norm of writing scientific articles on the structure of IMRAD (introduction, methods, results, and discussion). Reading IMRAD assumes that you read a single element of the article. If it “hooks” you, you move on to another element. For example, first you get acquainted with the abstract. If you get interested, you continue reading the introduction. Some people prefer a different algorithm for getting to know the article, starting reading with the results of the research or methods. There is no universal way: everyone chooses the way that suits him/her best.
Method 2. Read the article many times at a different pace
Read the entire article, without dwelling on incomprehensible formulations. If you find the information presented in the article interesting and useful for your study, read the article again, but slowly and carefully. Take note of the points you need to study in more detail.
Carefully re-read each sentence that you find interesting or incomprehensible. If you cannot understand the meaning of what is written because you do not know some definition, be sure to use dictionaries, textbooks, and review articles.
Once all the unfamiliar words make sense, reread the article again: slowly and thoughtfully. Reread it until you fully understand everything the author wanted to convey to the reader.
How to read a scholarly article effectively?
Before you dive into reading a complex research paper, determine its value to your research. To do this, study the paper’s citation list. This way, you will know how often your colleagues in the problem you are studying use the article in their research. Study the authorship team of the published work, and look at the topics of other articles by these authors. From other papers, you can find out the scientists’ range of interests and understand how interesting and useful the topic is to you.
The purpose of studying any scientific article is not just to understand the general meaning, but to find the main problem that the author is trying to solve in this field. This will help you focus on the main purpose of the research. This is what effective reading is all about.
Pay attention to what specific questions the research authors are trying to answer. Determine the focus of the article: whether the findings are in response to specific questions, including the main question.
Constantly ask yourself questions:
- How do the authors interpret the results?
- Do you agree with them?
- Can you think of an alternative way to interpret them?
- Do the authors identify a weak point in their study?
- Did you notice something that eluded the authors?
- What do you suggest we do next?
- What conclusions can you draw?
The more questions you ask yourself as you read, the more benefit you will get from the article you read.