1. How does a person read and use an Academic Paper?
Tuesday Tech Topics– August 29, 2017, 4:00 pm
David Cox, Skeen Library Director, SKEEN ROOM 208

2. Navigation… with Academic Papers
Amino Acids and proteins
Usually follows a basic flow or format, with variations:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion and Conclusion
Further References, Works Cited, Information or Bibliography Index

3. Abstract Essential concept tool
Available in searches for articles, even if the Library does not have a subscription to this specific journal.
IN A PERFECT WORLD, the abstract gives the focus, ultimate conclusions drawn, the raison d’etre.
The Abstract IS the best thing to read FIRST

4. Time to ask questions, after reading the Abstract, before “getting” the Article
Does this interest me, pic my thoughts, seem relevant???
Does this appear to relate to my research questions or thesis?
Investigate further, or toss the caber? This is very important, especially if you have 16,233 articles in your search. Best start Narrowing the search. Time to realize you need a smaller pool of articles, and collected thoughts to help.

5. The Introduction
This is usually found in the first paragraph or two in the paper. It should have more information than the abstract, as there is often a “Literature Review” section included.
A Literature Review is a summary of previous research by other scholars on a similar topic.
A Literature Review may have its own dedicated section in the paper, so this then becomes something to watch for.
At times when the Abstract appears either unclear or less helpful, the Introduction is your second stop.

6. Questions on the Introduction
Who has done work on this?
Where can I find their work?
What unique or peculiar work, or protocols are shown?
Will this article tell me anything new? Will this article give me support in my research for pursuing the work further?
Am I still wanting to read this, put this in my bibliography, or move on?

7. Materials, Methods—the Protocols
The process of the scholar is to be presented here. If done well, then you should have a clear presentation of what was done, and how it is repeatable.
A poor Materials and Methods section doesn’t give enough information to be able to repeat the Protocols and Process. To be honest, why did they waste my time!? Peer Reviewed articles should catch this problem. Otherwise the paper is less helpful and floating ideas of possible results to a process.
A note from the University of Illinois Library web page, my alma mater, Some people suggest reading Materials & Methods second, so you can see if all of the information is there to repeat. However, sometimes the M&M section may be too technical for some readers. You may also jump to the Discussion second, or the Introduction, if you still are not sure what the article is trying to convey.

8. Here is the REAL Question
Do I have enough information to repeat the work?

9. Results
With unbiased description the Results section is intended to tell you the findings of the work.
This is where the Essential Resource and Reference Data will be given for the work.
Sometimes Results and Discussion section become enmeshed. Such combinations are rare, but do happen.
The questions to ask here: Are the results conveyed in a factual, unbiased manner? Are you able to see the data presented and given in a clean, informational manner? What does this data, as presented, provide insight and conclusions you can draw from the work?

10. Discussion and Conclusions
About hundredths of a time, this section may be read last, or as a statement that somehow ties things together and gives analysis of the work.
The scholar seeks to indicate the significance of the results or work done.
Analysis is given about the data, the implications of the work, and the what the data tells the scholar as is suggested or proposed.
Suggestions of what might be considered in future work, or directions as to what the work may support in academic argument or put forward as a theory to be followed up upon may be present.
And as the reader, the questions may include the following:

11. What Do You Think?
Is the analysis presented appear to agree with the DATA?
Does the conclusion appear valid, and is it supported by the DATA?
What appears weak in the argument, discussions and conclusion?
Does the DATA and what you have read prompt you to further research?
What else might, should, could, be done as research /work on this topic or examination. What might you do with this? Can you replicate, or take this further along the journey of scholarship or insight?

12. Enough Already!!!! Thanks for coming. Hope this was helpful.
Next week, same time, same presenters, different discussion topic.
Got any ideas from this presentation that you would like to more about?
See ya!