You are on page 1of 2

JOURNAL PAPER REVIEW

How to Read and Review a Scientific


Journal Article

There are two ways to write a review on a scientific journal article: a


summary and a critique. Both types will require you to first read and
understand the article before a review can be drafted.

A summary paper review briefly but accurately stating the keypoints


of the author. A good summary paper review must be able to assert
keypoints of the author to a reader who has not read the original
paper.

A critique is a longer review than a summary as it involves an


analysis and evaluation of the authors research in addition to a
summary of the papers keypoints.

Paper reviews helps students to learn to synthesize information from


different sources as graduate studies requires publication of research
papers in various areas and discipline. Reviews are normally limited
to a maximum of two pages.

Step 1:
Once a paper has been selected for review, you will need to skim
trough the article without taking down notes. This will give you a
birds eyeview of the content of the paper.

You may start by reading the abstract. This will tell you all major
keypoints of the study.

Make mental notes of some terms or techniques that you encountered


for the first time or may need to be looked up for definitions and
clearer explanations. If you have printed the article, mark parts of the
article you may need to refer to later on.

Step 2:
Re-read the article. This time, do it carefully and make sure you
understand most of what are being discussed.

Look for the Results and the Materials and Methods. You must be
able to know from the article if it is novel or a repeated experiment.
If it is novel, why was the study conducted? If it is repeated, how

How to Read and Review a Scientific Journal 1


JOURNAL PAPER REVIEW

does the first experiment differ from the current one? What variables
were held constant? What factors might affect the outcome of the
experiment?

Step 3:
Go back to the Materials and Methods and Results. Make sure
you understand all graphs, tables and diagrams. Practice
interpreting these figures without reading through the
captions.

Step 4:
Begin your first draft. Try describing the article in your own
words but make sure you are accurate in all the keypoints.
Avoid injecting your opinion on materials and methodology
used. Reserve that for the critiquing part of the journal paper
critique.

Organization
Start with an introductory paragraph. Give a summarized
version of the background of the study as well the purpose of
the experiment. Make the research questions your guide in
this part.

Discuss the materials and methodology used in the paper.


Make sure you use past tense.

Enumerate the major results / findings of the study. This


should also be in past tense. Made mention of what the study
taught the author.

For a critique, do not include personal opinion and make sure


you make it clear which part of your review is your thoughts
and which ones are the authors. Focus on the positive aspects
of what the findings of the study discusses. Point out
limitations of the study. Check if the data support the
conclusion. Analyze if the data do not contradict the
conclusion. Ask if all questions were answred. Make
suggestions on how future studies can be improved.

You might also like