Reading scholarly articles may pose a challenge for students. Scholars meticulously conduct research and present their findings for various purposes, although not necessarily for a broader audience, like students.
As these articles are not tailor-made for students, they can be confusing most of the time. So, to make it easier to read and understand, check out these easy tips to read scholarly articles smartly:
Don’t read from introduction to conclusion: Don’t stick to reading from start to finish. That’s a waste of time if the article turns out to be not what you need. Instead, try this order:
- Look at the article details (title, author, abstract, citation)
- Skim the introduction
- Glance at section headings
- Review discussion/conclusions sections
- Read through the other parts
Take your time: Unlike reading a captivating novel, scholarly articles demand intentional and selective consumption. As one Open University professor aptly puts it, “It’s not Harry Potter!” In other words, the goal is not to follow a story but to extract pertinent information. Consider dividing your reading into chunks, focusing on skimming through the introduction and conclusion sections first to determine what warrants further in-depth reading. Subsequently, delve into methods, findings, and literature review sections based on your specific needs.
Read again and again: Scholarly articles are dense and often require multiple readings to truly grasp the content. Reading an article at least three times can help distil key ideas, identify major concepts, and address any lingering questions. By being intentional about your reading approach each time, you will extract more crucial information without spending excessive time.
Mark it up: Engage actively with the text by marking it up during your reading sessions. Whether highlighting, circling, or making notes in the margins, you can choose a method that suits you. Annotations on printed articles or electronic PDFs can serve as valuable reference points, aiding in revisiting articles for assignments, reinforcing essential concepts, or finding additional information. However, exercise discretion to avoid overwhelming your annotations—focus on highlighting the truly significant.
Talk about it: If your course involves shared readings of scholarly articles, leverage discussions with peers. Conversations about encountered concepts, especially with fellow students, can help identify misconceptions, clarify points of confusion, or pinpoint areas for further exploration.
Define and conquer: Confront unfamiliar terms by looking up their definitions. Online resources available through OU Libraries, such as subject-specific dictionaries and encyclopedias, can be invaluable in decoding jargon. Jot down these definitions directly in the article to create a quick reference guide. This proactive approach saves time during subsequent readings, eliminating the need to repeatedly search for unfamiliar words.
These simple tricks can make academic reading less of a headache and more like a walk in the park. So, grab those articles, use these tips, and make your reading sessions way more enjoyable and useful.