How do I read a research article?

Answer 1

Breaking down a complex research article can be challenging, but with a systematic approach, you can enhance your understanding.

1. First, skim the article. Start with the title and the meaning, then the abstract, introduction, and conclusion. This will give you an overview of the main idea and findings.
2. Identify the Structure. Familiarize yourself with the typical structure of a research article. Most include: abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion and references. Break down the intro: Focus on the problem statement, research questions, and objectives. Understanding the purpose is crucial.
3. Examine the methods the researchers used. Summarize their findings! Pay attention to the sample size and data collected
4. Summarize and take notes to comprehend the discussion points
5. Identify and review key terms and concepts. If you don't know what a word means, look it up!