Read The Articles

By Rost – 14 May 2013 – FKIK UIN

 Reading Articles

• Who wrote it
• Why they wrote it
• What they did
• Why, when, where and how they did it
• What was found
• Was is morally sound ?
 Cont.

• What journal is this ?

• Have I take the time to understand all the
terminology?
• Have I gone back to read an article or review
that would help me understand the work
better?
• Am I spending too much time reading the less
important parts of this article?
• Is there some I can talk to about confusing
parts of this article?
 After Reading ....

• What specific problem does this research

address? Why is it important ?
• Is the method used a good one? The best
one?
• What are the specific findings?
• Am I able to summerize them in one or
two sentences?
 Cont..

• Is there an alternative interpretation of the

data that the author did not address?
• How are the findings unique/new/unusual or
supportive of other work in the field?
• How do these results relate to the work I’m
interested in ? To other work I’ve read
about?
 Devide the article
into section

• Abstract • Analytical
• Introduction approach
• Method • Presentation of
• Sampling data
approach • Discussion
• Ethical discussion • Recommendations
 Detail Consideration

1. Consider the strengths and

weaknesses of each section.
2. Make notes on your impressions of
each section.
 Be aware / Avoid

 Personal feelings about research

 Personal biases (evaluation)
 Feeling angry or irritated with the
paper/author
 Make sure the judgements are based
on an objective review of strenghts and
weakness rather than personal opinion
and bias.
 Critique Guides

1. The research problem and aims of the study

should be outlined.
2. Definitions of terms should be provided.
3. The literature review should provide a
summary of what is currently known about
the subject. There should be evidence of an
organized, critical review of a wide range of
relevant literature, made up of primary
sources, associated with the subject.
 Cont.

4. The research method/ should be explained. It

should be linked to the research question and
aims. Hypotheses should be testable.
5. There should be some discussion of the
potential strenghts and weakness of the
chosen method.
6. The sample should be appropriate to the type
of question, aims and method.
 Cont.

7. Methods for analysing data should be

discussed.
8. Data should be clearly presented and be
related to the research question and aims.
9. Ethical issues such as confidentiality,
anonymity, consent and the protection of
information should be discussed. Also, the
ways in which subjects are recruited to the
study and any access issues experienced.
 Cont.

If patients are involved, then the support of

the Local Research Ethics Committee should
be evident.
10. There should be some discussion of the
findings with recommendations. The overall
strenghts and weaknesses of the study
should be explored.
 Template for taking
notes on articles

 Tittle (article) and Author(s)

 Journal (volume #, Issue #, dates of
publication#, pages #)
 If web access: url, date accessed
 Abstract and Key Words
 General subject and Specific subject
 Hypothesis, Methodology, and Result(s)
 Summary of key points
 Cont.

 Context ( relation to other work, including

finding by other and yourself)
 Significance ( to the field )
 Important figures and/or tables (brief
description; page number )
 Cited references to follow up on
 Other comments.
 References

• Purugganan and hewit. How to read a

scientific article.
• Ballesté. Writing scientific papers.
• Gould and hengl, 2002. Rules of thumb for
writing research articles.
• Sbalh. Critiquing A paper: a guide.