Reading entire articles is time-consuming! Read efficiently by following these tips:
- Read the abstract and introduction for a general summary of the journal article. Does the abstract seem relevant to your research question?
If YES, move on to step 2.
If NO, discard.
- Jump to the Reference Section: Skim through the references. Did the author cite resources that appear credible, like other scholarly articles or reputable books?
If YES, move on to step 3.
If NO, discard.
- Read the discussion and conclusion section to gain a clearer understanding of the article's main claims. Is the content relevant?
If YES, move on to steps 4 and 5.
If NO, discard.
- Critically read the rest of the article, spending as much time as necessary to do so:
- What is the author's position? Does their argument seem valid?
- Does the author seem neutral or too biased?
- Take notes on the source, keeping your research question in mind so your notes are relevant.
Adapted from Meriam Library, California State University, Chico (2018)
