Reading a Peer Reviewed Article

After being drawn in by the title and reading the abstract, you have decided to read more closely.

Side note: if you have doubts about whether the source is peer reviewed, try investigating the name of the publication on Google or Journalseek. Even peer reviewed journals will occasionally have supplementary items in addition to the main articles. Supplementary items include editorials, letters to the editor, and book reviews. These are not peer reviewed.)

As you read the article, you should skip around. Here are some things to think about, while you navigate the different sections.

Introduction

What is it?

Clarifies the hypothesis.

Explains why the hypothesis is worth testing; shows how the researchers will build on previous research.

Read if you want to learn more about the broader context and prior research.

OR

Skip to the results or discussion if you only care about findings.

Think, while reading:

  • What does this mean to me?
     (What are connections to my research purpose?)

  • What background info am I learning?

(Do I come across new concepts, terms, or facts?)

Methods

What is it?

Details the experiment.

Explains why the researchers wanted to test their hypothesis in this way. Describes what they did, in detail.

Read if you want nitty-gritty details about how the study was done.

OR

Skip to the results or discussion or results if you only care about findings.

Think, while reading:

  • What is the sample?
    (How representative is the sample? How large?)

  • Is this a good way to test the hypothesis?

(What is or isn’t measured? What could skew results?)

Results

What is it?

Provides data outcomes.

May include averages, tables, graphs, summaries, etc., but no judgement calls!

Read if you want detailed info about of the study's outcome, but not the authors' commentary on what the results mean.

OR

Skip to the discussion if you care more about the big picture.

Think, while reading:

  • Why is the data being presented this way?
    (Look at graph labels and ranges. What is the author highlighting?)


Discussion / Conclusion

What is it?

Evaluates the hypothesis.

Explores what the findings mean, for our understanding of the topic. It may also point out limitations of the experiment, or make suggestions for future research.

Read if you want detailed info about of the study's outcome, but not the authors' commentary on what the results mean.

OR

Skip back to other sections if you want more details about the study.

Think, while reading:

  • What are the strengths of this study?
    (How much can it help me understand what I am studying?)

  • What are the limitations of this study? (What’s left out? What can’t be seen?)


References

What is it?

Lists sources.

The work of other researchers should have been mentioned throughout the rest of the essay. This is the works cited section.

Scan if you are looking for what to research next.

OR

Skip back to other sections if you want more details about the study.

Think, while reading:

  • Should I check out any of these sources?

(You may need to revisit the earlier sections. If there’s a source that seems particularly important, you may want to “swim upstream” to read the original.)