Uploaded byHarold Gamero
Research 101: How to Read a Scientific Paper
This document outlines different types of academic papers and provides a three-pass approach for effectively reading and evaluating papers. It begins by listing various paper types, including original research, literature reviews, and meta-analyses. It then describes the typical structure of a research paper and highlights elements like the introduction, methods, results, and conclusions. The document recommends a three-pass reading approach: the first pass involves quickly reading metadata, abstracts, and conclusions to understand the paper's general topic and contributions; the second pass involves closely reading the introduction and identifying key concepts; and the third pass involves thoroughly evaluating the methodology, results, and conclusions. It concludes by listing questions one should consider when evaluating whether a paper was well-written and its
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Research 101: How to Read a Scientific Paper
- 1. Research 101: Howto Read a Paper Harold Gamero
- 2. Which types ofpapers exist? Original research Review article Other types • Quantitative research (experiments, surveys) • Qualitative research (interviews, observation) • Case reports • Conference reports (proceedings) • Systematic literature reviews • Meta-analysis • Meta-synthesis • Meta-research • Notes • Conceptual papers • Replies to other • Editorial letters • Methodological • Epistemological • Etc.
- 3. References Metadata Results Discussion Conclusions Methods Limitations & futureresearch Introduction Structure of a Paper • Title • Authors • Journal • Abstract • Keywords • Problem • Theory(s) • Model(s) • Hypothesis • Design • Sample • Instruments • Procedures • Tables or graphs • All findings • Relevance of results • Contrast with previous research • Important results • Response on hypotheses • Opportunities for future projects
- 4. References Metadata Results Discussion Conclusions Methods Limitations & futureresearch Introduction Original research Literature review Structures of a Paper Metadata Introduction Literature review Conclusions References Conclusions Limitations & future research Other types References Metadata Introduction Body Conclusions
- 5. References Metadata Results Discussion Conclusions Methods Limitations & futureresearch Introduction References Metadata Results Discussion Conclusions Methods Limitations & future research Introduction Original research Meta analysis Structures of a Paper Other types References Metadata Introduction Body Conclusions
- 6. • Linear readingis not efficient. • Papers are complex. • Avoid losing time in the wrong papers. Gives a general idea about the paper 3-pass reading approach First pass Second pass Third pass Grasp of the paper’s content Understand the paper in depth
- 7. • Carefully readthe title, abstract, and keywords • Read the titles (section and sub-section headings). • Identify the concepts in figures, tables and diagrams • Read the conclusions 1st Pass Answer the 5 Cs Category: What type of paper is this? Context: Which theoretical bases were used to analyze the problem? Correctness: Do the assumptions appear to be valid? Contributions: What are the paper’s main contributions? Clarity: Is the paper well written?
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- 10. You can nowchoose to: (a) Set the paper aside (not to read it) (b) Return to the paper later (after reading background material) (c) Go on to the third pass • Read the introduction and identify the research problem or Qs • Identify key concepts, such as variables and Units of analysis • Read the hypothesis and the theory behind 2nd Pass
- 11. 3th Pass • Verifythat the same variables are mentioned along the document (hypothesis, graphs, results and conclusions). • Understand the methods used. • Check whether the conclusions are correctly drawn from the results or the statistical analysis. • Check the references for ground or seminal papers.
- 12. References Metadata Results Discussion Conclusions Methods Limitations & futureresearch Introduction How to evaluate the paper • Are the elements clearly identified? • The summary is complete? • Accurate keywords? • Does it come from a reliable journal? • Reasonable assumptions? • Is a theoretical approach explained? • Are the hypotheses theoretically supported? • Was everything measured as it should? • Are the findings well explained? • Are the procedures transparent? • Can the process be replicated? • Does it mention what is to be measured? • Does it explain where and how will this elements be measured? • Is the methodology clear? • Does it answer to the hypotheses or questions? • Are they correctly derived from the results?
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