Reading Research Papers

1

• Reading Research Papers
• Organization
• Are all the parts present and in the correct
  order?
• Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results,
  Discussion, References
• Does each section contain appropriate content?
• Abstract Summary of all other sections
• Intro Background, citations, questions/hypothese
  s
• Methods Description of techniques
• Results Figures, tables, descriptions
• Discussion Explanation, citations

2

• Reading Research Papers
• Content
• Introduction
• Adequate background?
• Reasonable questions/hypotheses?
• Well phrased, testable with data
• Methods
• Complete, appropriate level of detail
• Results
• Descriptive, not interpretive
• Appropriate figures/tables (nothing
  extra/missing)
• Discussion
• Comparison to published literature
• Interpretation supported by results

3

• Reading Research Papers
• Details
• Clear language?
• Confusing structure, run-on sentences, fragments
• Precise descriptions?
• Vague wording, casual language
• Internally consistent format?
• Font, figure/table numbering, citation format
• Scientific standards?
• Units, significant digits, binomial nomenclature
• Grammar?
• Spelling, homonyms, common errors