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CERI: How to Read Scientific Papers

February 17, 2021

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Hello and Welcome!

Genevive Bjorn, M.Ed.

Writer, Teacher, and Researcher

Doctoral student in Education, Johns Hopkins University

Scientific Writing Instructor

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You can find me on Twitter @genevivebjorn or sciencewriting.net.

Email: info@sciencewriting.net

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QUICKWRITE

Please jot down a few reasons why you want to improve your reading and writing of scientific papers. Be prepared to share out.

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Luca Maltagtiali, Ph.D., Editor at Nature Astronomy

Publications are the currency of a career in research. There’s no avoiding them.”

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Sara Robinson, Ph.D. student in Psychology, USC

Reading scientific papers was painful. Sometimes reading one would take all day. I always worried about not understanding.”

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Learn and practice a new method for more efficiently reading and writing scientific papers called “CERI.”

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LEARNING GOAL FOR THE SESSION

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BAD JOKE

Hey, Siri!

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BAD JOKE

Hey, Siri!

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BAD JOKE

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CERI

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C�E�R�I

Claim

Evidence

Reasoning

Implications

C�E�R�I

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Claim

A plain language, declarative answer to a scientific question that defines the specific relationship between variables.

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CERI DEFINED

Evidence

Data, test results, measurements, or observations that are either quantitative or qualitative.

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Reasoning

Theory and prior research that links the evidence to the claim, and provides the logical basis for inferences and argument.

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Implications

Answer at least two questions: (1) How is the result significant beyond the immediate findings? (2) Where do we go from here?

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Bjorn & Quaynor (2021). In review.

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BENEFITS OF THE CERI METHOD

READING

  • More understandable approach to reading
  • Systematic and organized method that takes less time overall
  • Efficient way to analyze papers and quickly find flaws

WRITING

  • Systematic reading notes creates a more efficient writing process
  • Intuitive method to organize and outline drafts
  • Tool to map ideas to standard paper sections
  • Shows what is missing

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Bjorn & Quaynor (2021). In review.

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Worked Example

How to read more efficiently with CERI

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CERI EXAMPLE

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CERI EXAMPLE

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APPLY CERI TO CATEGORIZE READING

C, E, R, or I ?

  • Claim
  • Claim, evidence, reasoning
  • Build to claim

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  • Build to evidence
  • Claim, evidence, reasoning
  • Claim, reasoning, implications

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Publication Order

  • Title
  • Abstract
  • Context (Background information)
  • Methods
  • Results and figures
  • Discussion

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Bjorn & Quaynor (2021). In review.

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TAKE NOTES WHILE USING CERI

  • Notes help you remember the main CERI points in each paper.
  • Notes help you compare/contrast papers using CERI, which is fundamental for writing.
  • Notes reduce the number of times you have to go back to a paper.
  • Any standard notes form will work.

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Bjorn & Quaynor (2021). In review.

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TAKE NOTES WHILE USING CERI

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CERI NOTES

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Create a Google form and takes reading notes on it using CERI

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CERI NOTES

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Then create a spreadsheet of your notes.

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SUMMARY: WE DON’T READ PAPERS START-TO-FINISH. WE READ CATEGORICALLY.

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Publication Order

  1. Title
  2. Abstract
  3. Context
  4. Methods
  5. Results and figures
  6. Discussion
  7. References

CERI Reading Categories

  1. Title (C)
  2. Abstract (C, E, R)
  3. Context (Build to C)
  4. Methods (Build to E)
  5. Results and figures (C, E, R)
  6. Discussion (C, R, I)
  7. References

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QUESTIONS?

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Twitter: @genevivebjorn

Email: info@sciencewriting.net

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CURATED LIST OF RESOURCES

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sciencewriting.net

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CURATED LIST OF RESOURCES

I curate resources for scientific writing:

  • Online writing centers
  • Support for academic English
  • Scientific writing guides
  • Guidance by field
  • Organizational tools
  • Much more

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If you can’t open the link, email me: genevive@nasw.org

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CREDITS

Special thanks to all the people who made and released these awesome resources for free:

  • Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
  • Photographs by Startup Stock Photos

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