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outlineppt.pptReading, Summarizing, and Critiquing a Scientific Research Article
Chapter 10
THIS CHAPTER EXPLAINS
- The information you will find in a typical scientific research article
- How to read a research article in a directed way
- How to compare a summary of a research article
- How to compose a critique of a research article
10.1 CONTENT OF A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ARTICLE
- Understand what information to look for and where to find it in a research article
Abstract
- Provides a mini-summary of the paper and should contain all important information in form of known, unknown, research question/purpose, experimental approach, results, and significance.
- Thus, the Abstract will let you know what information the article covers.
Introduction
- Gives relevant background information and introduces the problem/unknown in the field
- Last paragraph-state the overall questions or purpose of the paper and the general approach.
- (In addition, it may also state the main results and their significance.)
Materials and Methods
- Tells the experimental/study approach.
- Most of the time this section is very technical and detailed.
- For an overview of the experimental/study approach, you can also refer to the end of the Introduction or to the Results section.
Results
- Delineates all findings of the work.
- First paragraph(s)-states the main results of the research.
- Subsequent paragraphs-outline the general approach and findings for each step of the study.
Discussion
- Discusses the key findings and their significance.
- First paragraph(s)-informs about the main results and their meaning; answers the overall research question of the paper.
- Last paragraph/conclusion-points out the importance and potential impact of the research; may also restate the main findings and point to the direction of future studies.
10.2 READING A RESEARCH PAPER
- Read research papers in a directed way:
- Gain an overview first.
- Clarify questions and unfamiliar terminology.
- Take notes.
10.2 READING A RESEARCH PAPER
- First, read the Abstract, the Introduction, and the Conclusion
- Then, read through the entire paper
- Re-read the paper again-this time for fuller understanding
10.3 WRITING A SUMMARY OF A RESEARCH PAPER
- Think of a summary as an expanded version of the Abstract, written in your own words
After reading the article carefully, specific questions you should be able to answer include:
- What is the overall purpose of the research?
- How does the research fit into the context of its field?
- What was the general experimental/study approach?
- What are the key findings?
- How are the reported findings different or better?
After reading the article carefully, specific questions you should be able to answer include:
- What are the major conclusions drawn from the findings?
- What is the overall importance of the work?
- To write a good and concise summary, think of your summary as an expanded version of the Abstract of the article.
- The following outline can serve as a guideline for writing a summary:
After reading the article carefully, specific questions you should be able to answer include:
- 1. Begin your summary by describing the main question or purpose of the paper, and provide some brief context.
- 2. Explain how the authors approached the study.
- Describe the key findings.
- Briefly discuss the meaning of the findings.
After reading the article carefully, specific questions you should be able to answer include:
- Conclude by stating the overall impact of the research, and explain why you think the study is relevant.
- You, do not need to summarize each detail of the paper.
- Focus instead on providing the reader with an overall idea of the content of the article.
After reading the article carefully, specific questions you should be able to answer include:
- Ensure that the terminology you are using is correct.
- Limit your summary to roughly one page.
10.4 CRITIQUING A RESEARCH PAPER
- To critique a research paper, highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the research, its presentation, and interpretation
10.5 CHECKLISTS
- For a summary
- Did you understand what information to look for and where in the article to find it?
- Did you read the paper in a directed way?
For a summary
- Did you find:
- The overall purpose of the research?
- The general experimental/study approach?
- The key results?
- The significance of the work?
For a summary
- When composing your summary, did you:
- Begin your summary by describing the main question or purpose of the paper and providing some brief context?
- Explain how the authors approached the study?
- Describe the key findings?
- Discuss the meaning of the findings?
For a summary
- Conclude by stating the overall impact of the research and explain why you think the study is relevant.
For a critique
- Did you understand wat information to look for and where in the article to find it?
- Did you read the paper in a directed way?
For a critique
- Did you find:
- The overall purpose of the research?
- The general experimental/study approach?
- The key results? How are they different or better from other?
- The significance of the work?
For a critique
- When composing your critique, did you:
- Provide a brief summary by describing the main purpose, approach, findings, and conclusion of the paper?
For a critique
- Highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the research, its presentation, and interpretation?
- Is the purpose of the study clearly stated?
- Are the ideas novel/original?
- Has relevant background information been provided?
- Did the authors use appropriate procedures?
For a critique
- Are results correctly interpreted and were all controls met?
- Are figures and tables explained clearly?
- Are the key findings clear?
- Has the overall research question been answered?
- Does the work make an important contribution to the field?
For a critique
- Are the major conclusions justified?
- How important is the work?
