Effective Tips for Reading a Research Paper

Reading scientific research papers is essential for researchers and scientists. Given the vast number of journal articles across various fields, it is crucial to select and read the appropriate ones.

Researchers must cultivate the skills to read research papers with interest and ease.

“Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.”
— Edward Gibbon

The initial step in reading a research paper is to examine the title, abstract, and conclusion. If these sections are pertinent to your research area, you can then note the key elements of the article.

There is no single method to read a journal article, as it varies depending on the individual and the article itself.

However, this article has outlined the following tips for reading a research article more effectively:

The prime rule for reading a research paper is to never start from the beginning and read through to the end. Instead, begin by identifying the key conclusions of the study by reading the title, abstract, and conclusion. If these sections indicate that the paper is interesting, novel, and relevant to your field, then proceed to read the entire article effectively and efficiently.

Before diving into the details of reading a research paper, you can use the following flowchart to determine whether the chosen article is worth reading:

1. Title: Does it seem relevant to your field of study?
2. Abstract: Does it address an important question or problem in your area of research?
3. Conclusion: Does it present findings that are significant and novel?

If the answers to these questions are affirmative, then you should proceed to read the entire article.

Structure of Research Articles

Most research articles follow a standard structure, which can help you navigate and understand the content more effectively. However, keep in mind that review articles might be formatted differently. Here are some tips to help you read both research papers and review articles, as extensively explained at ilovephd.com:

1. Title

• The title of a manuscript indicates the theme of the research work.
• It should be clear, specific, and attractive to readers.
• A well-crafted title can inspire the reader to decide whether to read the article or move on to the next one.
• Some titles are descriptive and self-explanatory, while others are more general.
• For example, the manuscript titled “Wastewater treatment system – A challenge for water technologists” seems very general, while “Enhanced performance of an advanced wastewater treatment system for reuse” provides more information that encourages the reader to read the full article.

2. Abstract

• In addition to an attention-grabbing title, a well-written abstract is crucial.
• The abstract is what researchers read first to determine if the article is worth reading.
• It highlights the novelty of the research work. Therefore, a reader should read the abstract twice or thrice for better understanding.
• Some journal articles include graphical abstracts, making it easier to understand the work quickly.
• Abstracts typically answer the following questions:
  • What was investigated in the study?
  • Why was it done?
  • How was it done?
  • What are the important findings of the study?
  • What is the significance and novelty of the study?
• Ensure that these questions are answered after reading the entire article.

3. Keywords

• Keywords should be relevant to the work, making it easy for readers to search for the manuscript.

4. Introduction

• Once the reader has decided to read the entire journal article, they can start with the introduction.
• This section addresses existing knowledge and previous research on the topic.
• It clearly indicates the advancement or improvement and the motivation for conducting the research.
• A good introduction provides a proper background for the study with recent relevant literature.
• This section concludes with identifying research gaps in the literature and how these gaps motivated the researcher to design a novel study.
• The objectives of the study are listed at the end of this section.

5. Materials and Methods

• This section elaborates on the technical details of how the research experiments were conducted.
• It includes experimental procedures, preparation methods, instrumentation used, and formulas.
• By reading the methods section, readers can get a clear vision of how the research study was carried out.

6. Results and Discussion

• This is the most important section of a journal article, where detailed research findings and their interpretations are discussed.
• It emphasizes the experimental results explained scientifically and logically in line with fundamental science and principles.
• To support the findings, results are often expressed through plots, figures, graphs, models, tables, and expressions.
• The results obtained in the present study are compared with those reported in the literature, highlighting differences and similarities.
• This section also discusses the strengths and shortcomings of the study, suggesting the need for further research.
• Readers should meticulously read this section to evaluate the originality, reliability, and reproducibility of the results.
• It is essential to check if all the parameters mentioned at the beginning of the study were addressed at the end.
• Verify if appropriate statistical tests were conducted and their significance levels.
• Identify which results are statistically significant and which are not.
• The section also covers the meaningfulness of the results, new hypotheses, limitations of the study, explanations of differences and similarities with previous studies, and suggestions for future research.
• Remember, the discussions reflect the authors’ perceptions, interpretations, and opinions rather than established facts.

7. Conclusion

• Even though the conclusion section was read at the beginning, it is advisable to reread it to ensure that your initial understanding was accurate.
• If the conclusion didn’t make sense initially, it might become clear after a thorough reading of the entire article.
• This section typically includes a summary of the research findings and the overall impression of the study.
• A good conclusion will encapsulate the article’s arguments, research outcomes, and further scope for studies.

Questionnaire to Read a Research Paper

Section	Questions
Title	– Is the title relevant to my field of study?
Abstract	– What was investigated in the study? – Why was it done? – How was it done? – What were the important findings of the study?
Introduction	– What was the significance and novelty of the study? – What was the need for the research study? – Was the research gap identified? – What were the research questions? – Was the present study compared with the previous relevant literature? – What were the objectives of the study?
Materials and Methods	– How did the researcher design the experiments? – How was the experimental setup done? – How was the sampling done? – How was the experiment conducted? – What was the experimental procedure? – What were the parameters considered (variables and constants)? – What parameters were measured? – What models were considered? – What instrument/technique/method was used for data collection and analysis? – What statistical tests were used for evaluation? – What empirical formulas were used for calculation?
Results and Discussion	– What were the major findings of the research study? – Were all the parameters considered at the beginning of the study discussed in this section? – Were the results original, reliable, and reproducible? – Were the plots, figures, and tables easy to understand? – Did the research findings answer all the research questions? – Were the results interpreted scientifically and logically in line with fundamental science? – How were the results different/similar from other studies? – What were the strengths and limitations of the study? – Did the results obey the established theory and principle?
Conclusion	– Were the overall research findings summarized effectively? – Did the conclusion align with the initial hypotheses and objectives? – What is the overall impression of the study? – What is the further scope of the study suggested by the authors?

References

Citing references appropriately in the article is necessary to avoid plagiarism. References are listed at the end of the manuscript, and each journal has its own referencing style.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Reading a Research Article

1. Begin by Reading the Introduction, Not the Abstract

The abstract is a dense first paragraph at the very beginning of a paper. It’s often the only part of a paper many non-scientists read when building a scientific argument, which is a poor practice. When selecting papers to read, decide based on a combination of the title and abstract.

However, when a collection of papers is assembled for deep reading, always read the abstract last. Abstracts provide a succinct summary of the entire paper, and reading them last helps avoid bias from the authors’ interpretation of the results.

2. Identify the QUESTION

Ask yourself, “What problem is this entire field trying to solve?” This helps focus on why this research is being done and look closely for evidence of agenda-motivated research.

3. Summarize the Background in Five Sentences or Less

Here are some guiding questions:

• What work has been done before in this field to answer the BIG QUESTION?
• What are the limitations of that work?
• What, according to the authors, needs to be done next?

The five sentences guideline is arbitrary but forces conciseness and deeper thinking about the research context.

4. Identify the SPECIFIC QUESTION(S)

Determine what exactly the authors are trying to answer with their research. There may be multiple questions or just one.

Write them down. If it’s research that tests one or more null hypotheses, identify them.

5. Identify the Approach

Understand what the authors will do to answer the SPECIFIC QUESTION(S).

6. Read the Methods Section and Draw a Diagram

Draw a diagram for each experiment, showing exactly what the authors did. Include as much detail as needed to fully understand the work.

You don’t need to understand the methods in enough detail to replicate the experiment, but you should be able to explain the basics to someone else.

7. Read the Results Section

Begin by reading the results section. Summarize the results for each experiment, figure, and table in one or more paragraphs. Focus on what the results are, without interpreting their meaning. You may need to refer to the Supplementary Online Information for additional results.

In well-written papers, the majority of results are often detailed in the figures and tables. Pay careful attention to these visual elements. If statistical tests are used in the paper, ensure you have enough background to understand them. If needed, consult basic resources on statistics (links provided in the original post). Becoming familiar with these resources is strongly advised.

When summarizing the results, note the following:

1. Significance: Pay attention to terms like “significant” or “non-significant” as they have precise statistical meanings.
2. Error Bars: Check if graphs include error bars. A lack of confidence intervals can be a major red flag for certain studies.
3. Sample Size: Consider the sample size of the study. Whether it involves 10 or 10,000 participants can greatly influence the robustness of the results. For many research purposes, larger sample sizes are generally preferable, though some studies may adequately function with smaller sizes.

Use these guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and accurate summary of the results section.

8. Evaluate if the Results Answer the SPECIFIC QUESTION(S)

Reflect on what the results mean. Form your own interpretations before reading the authors’ discussion.

It’s okay to change your mind after considering their interpretation, but developing your own analysis is a valuable habit.

9. Read the Conclusion/Discussion/Interpretation Section

Assess what the authors think the results mean and whether you agree. Consider alternative interpretations, identify any weaknesses in the study, and note the authors’ proposed next steps.

10. Go Back to the Beginning and Read the Abstract

Check if the abstract matches the content and your interpretation of the paper.

11. Assess What Other Researchers Say About the Paper

When assessing a research study, it’s important to consider the perspectives of acknowledged or self-proclaimed experts in the field. These experts may have criticisms or insights that you haven’t thought of, or they may generally support the study’s findings.

Here’s how you can approach this:

1. Initial Assessment: Before consulting external sources, form your own opinions and interpretations of the study’s results and methodology. This helps you engage critically with the material and develop a solid understanding of the research.
2. Expert Opinions: After forming your initial thoughts, search for experts in the field who have commented on similar studies or topics. Look for their critiques, endorsements, or discussions related to the study you’re analyzing.
3. Google Search: Use search engines to find articles, blogs, or reviews by experts in the field. Pay attention to their credentials, affiliations, and the depth of their analysis.
4. Literature Cited: Review the “Literature cited” section of the paper to identify important papers in the field. This can help you understand the context of the study, find related research, and discover sources of useful ideas or techniques.

12. (Optional) Review the “Literature Cited” Section

Explore the papers cited by the authors to identify important papers in the field, discover useful ideas or techniques, and gain a broader understanding of the context.

This comprehensive approach ensures a thorough understanding of the research article, promoting critical thinking and deeper insights into the research field.

Reading scientific journal articles is vital for gaining deep knowledge and understanding the current state-of-the-art technologies and inventions.

By choosing the right articles and developing a systematic method for reading them, researchers can enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in comprehending complex studies.