How to Read a Scientific Journal Article

Abstract Gives a basic overview of what the whole paper is going to be about. Begins with a sentence or so of background, followed by the problem the authors are investigating. Has a sentence or two mentioning methodology, a sentence to summarize results, and one last sentence that summarizes the takeaways from the discussion section.

Introduction Where really good background information is found. All the background information that the author feels is relevant for your understanding of the paper can be found here. You may have to look up a few things to actually understand the introduction.

Discussion Where the data in a paper is analyzed. Where implications for daily life are presented. Where possible future experiments are proposed.

FIGURES!!!! Pictures are your best friends when you can’t understand a method or a result! Read the captions, they usually tell you how to read the picture.

Results Where the data obtained during the experiment is set out for the reader. Lots of graphs, charts, and tables. Depending on the paper, lots of numbers. Also depending on the paper, lots of acronyms and abbreviations.

Materials and Methods Where your lab notebooks really come in handy while writing a scientific paper (so take good notes!) Goes through the process of the experiment itself; all the steps required to achieve the authors’ particular results, as the authors themselves achieved them.

Understanding What You’re Reading Read it more than once. Annotating: circling/underlining key words or phrases and writing out your thoughts in the margins of your paper, so you can come back to the paper and know what your questions were at that exact point. Taking Notes: writing out key words or phrases of things you had to look up to be able to fully understand what you’re reading.