Module 4: Reading and Annotating Scholarly Sources
Module 4: Reading and Annotating Scholarly Sources
Finding scholarly sources is only the first step. The real work begins when you start reading them. Scholarly articles can be dense and intimidating, but they are structured in a way that makes them easier to navigate. This module will teach you how to read a scholarly article efficiently and effectively, and how to annotate (take notes on) what you read. By the end, you'll be able to identify the most important information and extract the evidence you need for your paper.
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Identify the key sections of a scholarly journal article (IMRaD structure).
Practice a strategic approach to reading an article rather than reading it from start to finish.
Take effective annotations (notes) to help with synthesis and writing.
Identify key information such as the study's purpose, methods, and findings.
Most scholarly articles in the sciences, including exercise science, follow a standard format known as the IMRaD structure. Knowing this structure will save you a lot of time and help you find the information you need quickly.
I - Introduction: Provides background information on the topic, reviews previous research, states the study's purpose, and outlines the research question or hypothesis.
M - Methods: Describes how the research was conducted. This section details the participants, materials, and procedures.
R - Results: Presents the findings of the study, often using tables, graphs, and statistical data. This section does not interpret the findings.
and - Discussion/Conclusion: Interprets the results, explains their significance, and relates them back to the original research question. It also discusses the study's limitations and suggests future research.
You don't have to read every single word of every article. A more efficient strategy is to "triage" your sources to see if they are relevant and then read them strategically.
Reading Strategy: The "Skim-Scan-Read" Method
Read the Abstract: The abstract is a short summary of the entire article. Read it first to quickly determine if the article is relevant to your topic. If it's not, move on!
Read the Introduction and Conclusion: If the abstract seems promising, read the Introduction to understand the study's background and purpose. Then, jump to the Discussion/Conclusion to understand the key findings and what the authors think they mean. This will give you the big picture.
Skim the Methods and Results: If the Introduction and Discussion confirm the article is highly relevant, skim the Methods section to understand the general design and the Results section to get a sense of the main data. You don't need to understand every statistical test, but look for keywords and the main findings.
Go Back and Read More Closely: Only if a source is perfect and you need specific details, go back and read the entire article more closely.
Annotation is the process of taking notes on a source. It's an active process that helps you engage with the material and ensures you don't have to re-read the article later.
Tips for Annotation:
Highlight with a Purpose: Don't highlight everything! Only highlight key sentences like the thesis, topic sentences, and crucial data points.
Write in the Margins: Jot down questions, connections to other sources, or your own thoughts.
Create a Summary Document: As you read, create a separate document where you write down the following for each article:
Full Citation: So you don't have to look it up later.
Purpose/Research Question: What was the study trying to find out?
Methods: How did they conduct the study?
Key Findings: What were the main results?
Your Takeaway: How does this article relate to your own paper and thesis?
| Citation | Smith, J. M., & Jones, A. B. (2022). The effects of ... |
| Purpose | To investigate the effect of HIIT on body fat in college students. |
| Methods | 12-week HIIT program, 3 sessions/week, n=50 college students (25 male, 25 female). Measured body fat using DEXA scan. |
| Key Findings| Significant decrease in body fat percentage in the HIIT group compared to the control group. |
| Takeaway | This is a core source for my paper. The DEXA scan is a very reliable measurement, which strengthens the evidence. I can use this to directly support my thesis statement. |
Now, apply these skills to one of the scholarly articles you found in the last module.
Guided Practice:
Choose one of your sources. Find an article you identified in Module 3 that seems most relevant to your topic.
Use the "Skim-Scan-Read" Method:
Read the abstract. Is it a good fit?
Read the Introduction and Conclusion. What is the big picture?
Quickly skim the Methods and Results. What did they do and what did they find?
Start Annotating: Create a summary document for this article using the format provided above. Write down the citation, purpose, methods, key findings, and your personal takeaway.
In this module, you learned how to effectively and efficiently read a scholarly article by understanding its IMRaD structure. You also developed a strategic reading approach and a system for annotating your sources. This process transforms you from a passive reader into an active researcher, ensuring you have all the information you need, organized and ready, for the next step.
In the next module, you will learn how to take your annotated sources and synthesize them. You will learn how to find connections, common themes, and conflicting results to build a cohesive and well-supported argument for your paper.