1. How to Read a Journal Article
MH 31 Professor Billies
Summer 2013

2. Three Kinds of Journal Articles
Research Articles: Discuss a research project, often using surveys, focus groups, interviews, social experiments or a mixture of these. Sometimes the article reports on 1, 2 or 3 studies done by the same researcher.
Case Study Articles: Discuss one or a small number of “cases.” Cases are like clients – it refers to the story of one or a small number of people
Research Review Articles: Discuss a lot of research projects all at once. The author reads them and shows together what all the research projects say about a particular topic.

3. Research Article Sections
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Literature Review (other research)
Research Study Method
Research Study Findings or Results
Discussion

4. Case Study Article Sections
Abstract
Introduction/Background
Literature Review (other research)
Case Study description
Therapist Interventions or Case Themes
Discussion

5. Research Review Article Sections
Abstract
Introduction/ Background
Discussion of many different research projects, often by category or theme
Conclusion: Importance for future research, policy efforts, or working with clients

6. How to Read a Journal Article
Read the Abstract SLOWLY
Identify the major sections
Read the Discussion section
Read the Methods
Read the Introduction/Background

7. After You Read a Journal Article
Write 3 sentences to remember the article. Include one sentence on the method and 1 to 2 important findings. Save it in a computer file with the author’s name, the year it was published, the title of the article, and the name of the journal.