Reading Research Papers:

Social Sciences

Learning Outcomes

• Identify key sections of a research article
• Understand how to efficiently read a research article
• Organize main points for effective note taking

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Research articles are how scholars communicate with each other …

Article Link: https://doi-org.pluma.sjfc.edu/10.1177/15210251231159642

Key sections of a research article …

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Literature Review
4. Methods
5. Results or Findings
6. Discussion or Conclusions

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Take a look at this example …

Article Link: https://doi-org.pluma.sjfc.edu/10.1177/15210251231159642

The Abstract is a summary of the research article.

A literature review, sometimes part of the Introduction, summarizes the current research on a topic.

A Methods section reports the methodology used to conduct a study. These can be qualitative or quantitative methods.

The Findings report the results of the study. This can include tables or charts of data.

The Discussion or Conclusion section puts the findings into the context of the current research and how a study contributes to new knowledge and builds the scholarly conversation.

Efficiently read a research article …

• Abstract
• Discussion
• Introduction & Literature Review
• Results
• Methods

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Is what I’m reading relevant to my research?

Read for efficiency …

Article Link: https://doi-org.pluma.sjfc.edu/10.1177/15210251231159642

#1 - Read the Abstract, an author-supplied summary of the article.

Ask yourself: Is the article and research relevant to your research? If yes, continue reading.

#2 - Read the Discussion or Conclusions.

See how the research findings contribute to the scholarly conversation. Ask yourself, does this research contribute to your research? If yes, continue reading.

#3 - Read the Introduction and Literature Review.

Understand the context and current state of research. The literature review can help you identify additional studies. Last, ask yourself if this research is relevant for your topic; if yes, continue reading.

#4 - Read the Findings.

Consider if the research findings are relevant to your own topic, how they contribute to the conversation, and if the findings are accurate.

#5 - Read the Methods.

Learn how the researchers ran their study, examine how the methods help to answer the research question.

Organizing for note taking …

• Develop a standard template
• Highlight and record important information
• Summarize importance to your research

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Standardized note taking …

Article Link: https://doi-org.pluma.sjfc.edu/10.1177/15210251231159642

Create a document to capture your notes, including article citation information, main concepts from the article, and how it relates to your research.

Build a spreadsheet to capture your notes. Create columns for citation information, main concepts, and how the research relates to your topic.

Create an annotated bibliography that includes a summary of each article you read and how it relates to your research project.

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Reading Research Papers: Social Sciences

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