What is critical reading in the sciences?
As you advance in your studies in the sciences, you will be asked to critically read research articles in peer reviewed journals. What are some of the methods for reading critically? You will find resources here on this page.
Above: photo by Sean Flynn/UConn Photo
The information below in italics is extracted from the UCLA Undergraduate Science Journal's Guide to Scientific Writing. The link to the guide is below.
You must be able to evaluate the techniques used, results obtained, conclusions drawn, and errors present in each study, and then apply your evaluation to your topic.
Below are some questions to help you start thinking about each study. For each research study you read, ask yourself:
- Has the author formulated a thesis? What is the problem or issue being addressed?
- What are the strengths and limitations of the way the author has formulated the problem? Could the problem be approached more effectively from another perspective?
- Is this paper primarily theoretical, experimental, interpretive, or clinical? A combination? Could the study have been better if conducted in a different framework? (i.e., could a theoretical study have been strengthened by actual experiment? Was a clinical study crippled by a lack of theoretical work?)
- What is the author's theoretical framework? The theories to which the authors subscribe manifest themselves through their assumptions, interpretations, and conclusions. What assumptions have your authors made? And how do those assumptions affect the conclusions they draw?
- Has the author evaluated the literature relevant to the problem/issue? Does the author discuss studies that contradict his/her thesis as well as those that support it?
- How effective is the study’s design? Is the method for investigating the problem appropriate? What errors does the method introduce? How accurate and valid are the measurements?
- Is the analysis of the data accurate and relevant to the research question?
- Are the conclusions validly based upon the data and analysis?
- Has the author objectively carried out the study, or only “proved” what he already believes?
- Does this study contribute to our understanding of the problem? How is it useful to us?
- UCLA Undergraduate Science Journal guidelinesGuide to Scientific Writing from UCLA undergraduate science jouurnal
Books on Reading Research Articles
How to Read and Critique a Scientific Research Article by ISBN: 9789814579162Publication Date: 2014-02-28Given the explosion of information and knowledge in the field of Life Sciences, adapting primary literature as materials in course work as part of active learning seems to be more effective in improving scientific literacy among science undergraduates than the pure transmission of content knowledge using traditional textbooks. In addition, students also read research articles as part of undertaking laboratory research projects useful for preparing them for graduate school. As such, a good grasp of reading and analytical skills is needed for students to understand how their research project contributes to the field that they are working in. Such skills are being taught at UK and USA universities. In Asia, this approach in teaching has not yet been as widespread, although similar ideas are beginning to be used in education. Written as a quick guide for undergraduate students and faculty members dealing with scientific research articles as part of a module or research project, this book will be useful, especially in Asia, for students and faculty members as the universities look to incorporating the use of scientific research articles in their undergraduate teaching.For Life Science students, the first time they encounter a primary literature can be rather daunting, though with proper guidance, they can overcome the initial difficulties and become confident in dealing with scientific articles.This guidebook provides a structured approach to reading a research article, guiding the reader step-by-step through each section, with tips on how to look out for key points and how to evaluate each section.Overall, by helping undergraduate students to overcome their anxieties in reading scientific literature, the book will enable the students to appreciate better the process of scientific investigations and how knowledge is derived in science.
