Structure of a Scholarly Article
What might you find in a scholarly article? Click on the image to learn more.
Title: what the article is about
Authors and affiliations: the writer of the article and the professional affiliations. The credentials may appear below the name or in a footnote.
Abstract: brief summary of the article. Gives you a general understanding before you read the whole thing.
Introduction: general overview of the research topic or problem
Literature Review: what others have found on the same topic
Methods: information about how the authors conducted their research
Results: key findings of the author's research
Discussion/Conclusion: summary of the results or findings
References: Citations to publications by other authors mentioned in the article
Reading Scientific Articles
Scientific articles follow a common structure description/overview
parts of https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/competitions/how-to-read-a-scientific-paper
full http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~cainproj/courses/HowToReadSciArticle.pdf
BEAM: How to Use a Source
This method was created to help you think about different sources and how you might put them all together for your final product.
Background Sources
- Sources accepted as unquestionable fact, undisputed information
- Examples: dictionaries, encyclopedias, and other reference materials
Exhibits or Evidence Sources
- Sources used for explication, analysis, or interpretation
- Examples: often primary sources like newspapers, primary research articles, data
Argument Sources
- Sources from other authors you are agreeing with, disagreeing with, or building upon
- Examples: scholarly articles or books
Method Sources
- Sources an author follows to determine how they are doing their research. Key terms, a specific procedure, model or perspective
- Examples: textbooks, literature reviews with commentary on research
Bizup, Joseph. "BEAM: A Rhetorical Vocabulary for Teaching Research-Based Writing." Rhetoric Review 27, no. 1 (2008): 72-86. doi:10.1080/07350190701738858
