Reading strategies – Reading scientific material
Before you begin reading
To properly understand and best utilize all the different types of texts you are expected to read as a university student, it is important that you start by planning your reading. The course plan and literature list can give you an overview of the different types of texts and when you need to read them in relation to course components, lectures, and assessments.
Different types of texts require different reading strategies. Here are some general tips you can use to make your reading more efficient:
- Consider the purpose behind your reading.
- Find out the general characteristics of the type of text you will be reading. For example, structure and language level.
- Start by getting an overview before moving on to the details. You can get an overview by reading the contents, chapter titles, illustrations, and tables.
- Read the beginning and ending of the text before reading the main body.
How do you read a scientific article?
Reading a scientific article differs from reading course books and other literature. They often follow a specific structure and are written in an academic language with a lot of subject specific terms. Therefore, it is important to have a strategy when reading to be as efficient as possible.
Structure
A scientific article usually follows the predetermined template IMRaD:
I = Introduction
M = Method and materials
R = Results
a = and
D = Discussion
Each of these parts have specific functions and conventions. If you know what to expect when reading them, it will become easier to navigate the text and to know what you should focus on while reading. Here, you will find examples of questions you can ask yourself while reading the different sections.
Abstract
A scientific article begins with a summarizing abstract. It concisely describes the article’s purpose, method, results, and conclusions. It also contains subject terms or keywords which identify the content of the journal article.
- Does the journal article seem interesting?
- Is it relevant to my field of study?
Introduction
The introduction accounts for the article’s background and presents its purpose and research questions. It also accounts for potential limitations.
- What is the author’s purpose with the journal article?
- What makes the research unique?
- Will this journal article teach me something new?
Method and materials
The methods section describes the methods and materials used for the research. It should be a very thorough and detailed account to make it possible for other researchers to repeat the research as well as judge its reliability and credibility.
- Is the choice of method appropriate to answer the journal article’s research question?
- Is there enough information to make it possible to repeat the experiment or study?
- Are all the steps clearly explained?
Results
This is where the results of the research will be accounted for. To clearly account for the results, tables and diagrams may be included.
- Are the results presented in an objective and neutral manner?
- Is there data to support the results?
- Are there other ways of interpreting the data of the results which the author does not address?
Discussion and conclusion
The presented result is evaluated and compared to similar and previous research. The method will also be discussed.
- Is the author’s argument supported by the results?
- Is the author’s argument flawed?
- Are there unanswered questions or suggestions for further research?
In what order should you read a scientific article?
Unlike other types of texts, it is usually more rewarding to read different parts of an article before reading it all the way through from beginning to end. Here is a suggestion for how you can divide the reading, as well as some things you can keep in mind while you read.
1. Abstract
This is where you can begin to get an overview of the article. While it is not enough to only read the abstract, it can be a good tool to quickly find out whether an article seems interesting or not.
2. Introduction
The introduction is where you can find relevant background, purpose, and the research questions of the article. If the article does not appear to answer the questions you are looking for, you can stop reading here. Otherwise, make sure to note any unfamiliar terminology and other questions that arise during your reading.
3. Discussion
In the discussion and conclusion, you can read the author’s interpretations of their results. It may also be useful to see which studies the author relates their research to. Maybe you will find another source that is relevant for you.
4. Results
Here you can read a more detailed account of the author’s outcomes. It is usually easier to understand the results when you have knowledge of the background, purpose, and conclusion of the research.
5. Method and materials
The author’s choice of methods and materials may influence how relevant the research is for your purpose.
6. The entire article
When you feel that you grasp the article’s purpose, methodology, and terminology you can move on to reading the article from start to finish. It is also at this stage you can begin to examine the text more closely through close reading. It may also be helpful to print the article in order to physically make notes in the margins and highlight important parts with a highlighter.
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