1. HOW TO READ SCIENCE JOURNALS
HOW TO READ A SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL

2. Structure of a Scientific Paper
How to read a science paper and where to spot the “news”

3. THE INGREDIENTS
Title: The Punchline
Author list significance of order and sometimes most “significant” name is last
List of Research Centers
Abstract concise summary of study
Introduction history of the topic, easy to skim but provides context
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion this is key!!!
Check the Acknowledgments for Funding Sources!

4. THE TITLE
Provides Everything: Clue to Whether it’s Newsworthy for your Audience
Example: Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Populations in Ruminants Can Be Reduced by Orange Peel Feeding
VS:
Applicability of Plasmid Calibrant pTC1507 in quantification of TC1507 Maize: An Interlaboratory Study

5. ABSTRACT Provides 1. Study Size 2. Significance 3. Conclusions
(our results show that orange peel could be part of an intervention strategy vs. the results indicated that PTC1507 could be applicable for the quanitative analysis of TC1507 Maize

6. FIRST GRAFS
A Quick Read for Context, provides your background or areas for questions
In spite of numerous hurdles that have been implemented throughout the food production chain to ensure food safety, foodborne illnesses still affect more than 48 million Americans every year. (GREAT STAT) One of the most significant foodborne pathogenic bacteria is E. Coli, etc. Phytochemicals are naturally occuring oils that have antimicrobial properties….

7. MATERIALS AND METHODS Details of Study
Read for accuracy, significance but usually more info than necessary to report. This is the recipe for others to confirm the data explaining precisely how the study was done.

8. RESULTS VERSUS DISCUSSION
RESULTS PROVIDE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
RATIONALIZES SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
PROVIDES CONTEXT
OFTEN PROJECTS FUTURE PROJECTS

9. REPORTING EXTRAS CHECK OTHER PAPERS WITH SIMILAR TOPIC
CHECK OTHER PUBLICATIONS OF LEADING AUTHOR
CHECK LEADING AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS AND POTENTIAL FINANCIAL TIES
CONSIDER REPUTATION OF JOURNAL
CHECK OTHER PAPERS WITH SIMILAR TOPIC
CHECK WHETHER TOPIC OR SIMILAR TOPICS ALREADY COVERED IN MEDIA AND HOW IT WAS COVERED