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How to read a research paper more effectively

Preprint · April 2024

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32509.17126

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Md Rashedul Hasan
University of Science and Technology Beijing
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How to read a research paper more effectively
Md Rashedul Hasan
PhD Fellow
University of Science and Technology Beijing
hasanrriyad@gmail.com

1
 Abstract

Researchers are currently engaged in reading scientific papers and conducting research. Sometimes, it
might be arduous to peruse a substantial number of papers within a limited timeframe. Thus, this article
demonstrates the proper technique for reading a paper with maximum efficiency. Scholars employ numer-
ous methodologies, but I present the most optimal approach to achieve the most favorable results. I have
categorized the process of reading into three distinct methods: preview, in-depth analysis, and ending. This
facilitates a more profound comprehension of a research article. Research papers may possess a high level
of complexity and appear daunting, but by employing a systematic method, you may effectively extract the
essential information.

1 Introduction
Reading a scientific document differs significantly from reading an article on science in a blog or newspaper. In
addition to reading the sections in a different sequence than they are presented, you must also make notes, read the
material numerous times, and potentially refer to other papers for specifics. Initially, it may require a significant
amount of time to read a single paper. Be patient with yourself. The process will accelerate significantly as you
acquire specialization.
Typically, primary research articles are organized into the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Methods,
Results, and Conclusions/Interpretations/Discussion. The sequencing will be contingent upon the specific journal
in which it is published. Certain journals include supplementary online information, separate from the main article,
that provides crucial details about the research. It is necessary to access and review these files (Ubben, n.d.).

2 Approaches for reading a research paper

2.1 Preview
• Select the appropriate paper: Choose a paper that corresponds to your personal interests and areas of
competence. If you are unfamiliar with reading research papers, it is advisable to begin with review articles
or papers that offer a comprehensive summary of a certain subject.

• Quickly read the title and abstract: This preliminary scan should just require a few minutes. Search for
relevant terms pertaining to your area of research and acquire a fundamental comprehension of the paper’s
subject matter, research inquiry, and primary discoveries.

• Review the abstract: Assess whether the abstract of the document is appropriate for your needs. If you
believe that the document is appropriate for your research, proceed to read the remaining portion. Please
review the aims, methods, and main conclusions in order to choose which paper to read.

2.2 In depth analysis

2.2.1 Read introduction

Now that you possess a rudimentary understanding, explore the introduction in more depth. Please identify the
precise research question(s) that the paper aims to answer, the necessary background information to comprehend the
topic, and the thesis statement put out by the authors. Please focus on any important terminology that is introduced
in this context.
The introduction provides the necessary background information for the research, presents the topic or research
question, examines pertinent literature, articulates the aims, theoretical framework, and hypotheses of the paper
(Keshav, 2007).

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2.2.2 Read the methods part

This section provides a comprehensive account of the methods employed by the researchers to collect their data.
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the process enables you to assess the reliability and trustworthiness
of the findings. Pose the following question to yourself: Did the methodology align with the research question?
Are there any constraints or restrictions on the techniques employed? Direct your attention to the techniques
section in order to comprehend the procedures employed in conducting the study. Examine the study’s design,
the characteristics of the participants or subjects, the techniques used to collect data, and any statistical analysis
conducted.
Create a visual representation for each experiment, illustrating the precise actions undertaken by the authors.
It is not necessary for you to have a thorough understanding of the procedures in order to repeat the experiment, as
that is the responsibility of the reviewers.
Key considerations in the methods section:

• Study design: Identify the specific sort of study design employed, such as experimental, observational,
qualitative, or quantitative. Evaluate the suitability of the study design in relation to the research topic or
aims.

• Sample: Analyze the attributes of the individuals or sample utilized in the investigation. Take into account
variables such as the number of participants, their characteristics, the criteria for including or excluding
them, and the methods used to recruit them.

• Variables and measures: Identify the independent and dependent variables in the research. Assess the
dependability and accuracy of the measurements or instruments employed for data collection. Evaluate
whether the measurements are suitable for the research objectives.

• Methodology: Comprehend the sequential process employed in the investigation. Be diligent in examining
particulars such as the techniques used for gathering data, any treatments implemented (if relevant), the time
of data collection, and any experimental protocols or procedures.

• Data analysis: Identify the statistical or analytical techniques employed for data analysis. Evaluate the suit-
ability of the selected methodologies for the specific data gathered and the research inquiries being examined.

• Ethical considerations: Search for data regarding ethical clearance and informed consent. Assess if the
study complied with ethical principles and safeguarded the rights and well-being of the participants.

When assessing the credibility of a study’s conclusions, it is crucial to take into account the validity and reliability of
the research. It is essential to scrutinize the techniques that were employed to ensure the precision and uniformity
of the collected data. Engage in discussions about internal validity, which refers to the control of confounding
variables, and external validity, which relates to the applicability of study findings.

2.2.3 Read the results part

This section provides an exposition of the research findings. Search for data, statistics, tables, and graphs that
visually depict the outcomes. Conduct an analysis to identify trends, patterns, and statistically significant findings.
Avoid becoming too preoccupied with trivial details, but instead concentrate on the significant patterns and insights
that the data uncovers in relation to the study issue. Refer to the results section in order to comprehend the primary
discoveries of the study (Roscoe, 2007).
Compose a concise summary for each experiment, figure, and table, consisting of one or more paragraphs.
Avoid prematurely interpreting the outcomes; simply record them without analysis.
Key considerations for the results section:

• Are error bars included on the graphs? The absence of confidence intervals in certain types of studies is a
significant indicator of potential issues.

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 • The size of the sample. Was the study conducted on a sample size of 20 or 10,000 individuals? (A sample
size of 20 is enough for certain research purposes, but generally, bigger sample sizes are preferable for most
investigations).

• Provide a comprehensive breakdown of the number of individuals involved at each step of the study, including
the specific dates of recruitment.

• Investigate and explain any attrition (participant withdrawals) and present the underlying causes for it. Im-
balanced participant numbers among groups can impact internal validity and complicate group comparisons.

• Determine the percentage of data that was excluded from your final analysis. Articulate the justifications for
excluding any specific data pieces.

• Do the findings directly pertain to the study topic or hypotheses outlined in the introduction? Evaluate
whether the results are consistent with the original objectives of the research.

• Assess the statistical techniques employed for data analysis. Verify if the selection of statistical tests was
suitable, taking into consideration the nature of the data and the concept of the research.

• Search for the exhibition of unprocessed data, condensed numerical information, and indicators of dispersion
(e.g., averages, deviations, confidence intervals). Evaluate the clarity and comprehensiveness of the data
presentation.

• Take note of the significance levels, such as p-values and confidence ranges, that are provided for statistical
tests. Assess the statistical significance of the results and evaluate whether the authors address the practical
significance of their findings.

• Verify the coherence between the findings described in the text and any accompanying tables or figures.
Verify that every material is precisely depicted and comprehended.

• Take note of any constraints specified by the authors that could impact the understanding and analysis of the
findings. Take into account the potential effects of these constraints on the accuracy or applicability of the
results.

2.2.4 Read the discussion & conclusion parts

In this context, the writers analyze their discoveries, elucidate their importance, and establish connections with
preexisting knowledge within the area. Are the conclusions a logical consequence of the results? Are there any
limitations that the authors acknowledge in their study? Examine the authors’ interpretations and conclusions with
a critical mindset.
Things to pay attention to in the discussion & conclusion section:
• Analysis of findings: Assess the authors’ ability to accurately interpret and elucidate the outcomes reported
in the findings section. Do the findings address the research question or hypotheses? Do the writers offer a
lucid and unambiguous explanation of the data?

• Comparison with existing literature: Evaluate the extent to which the findings are compared and contrasted
with prior research in the field. Examine conversations regarding resemblances, disparities, or inconsisten-
cies and evaluate the ways in which the present study enhances or broadens existing understanding.

• Implications: Reflect about the wider ramifications of the results. Is there a discussion of the practical
implications? What potential effects could the results have on theory, policy, or practice in the relevant
field? Seek to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the data that extends beyond the confines
of the present study.

• Constraints: Take note of any constraints specified by the authors. Analyze the extent to which these
constraints may have impacted the outcomes or the understanding of the discoveries. Assess whether the
authors sufficiently recognize and tackle potential constraints.

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 • Further directions: Seek suggestions or recommendations for further study based on the present findings.
Have the writers found any unresolved inquiries or areas that require further investigation? Take into account
the possibility of future research to expand on the existing study.
• In conclusions summarize: Assess the general inferences made by the authors. Are the conclusions con-
sistent with the objectives and findings of the study? Do the findings have sufficient evidence to support
them?
• Critical thinking: Evaluate the level of analytical thinking displayed in the discussion and conclusion parts.
Is the exploration of other theories or interpretations undertaken? Is the study’s consideration of potential
biases or confounding factors discussed?
• Evaluate: Evaluate the lucidity and logical consistency of the discussion and conclusion parts in terms of
writing style. Does the writing style effectively captivate and easily connect with the reader? Are the authors
successful in successfully conveying their main points and arguments?

2.2.5 Ending

• Review and reflect: Please provide a concise summary of the paper using your own language. What are the
discoveries or conclusions? What are the outcomes? What are the constraints or restrictions of that work?
What are some strategies to enhance productivity and performance in the workplace? Upon completing the
reading of the article, allocate some time to contemplate and evaluate its merits and shortcomings. Evaluate
the research’s contribution to the field, assess the appropriateness of the methods used, and determine if the
results are substantiated by the data.
• References: Conduct a cursory examination of the references to determine the extent to which the authors
relied on other research. This serves as a favorable initial reference for locating other pertinent articles
regarding the subject matter.
• Analyze the paper in relation to other scholarly works: Summarizing the paper is a method to ascertain
the scientific contribution of a work. It is necessary to do a comparative analysis of the article with other
scholarly works in the same field. Are the concepts truly original, or have they been previously presented?

3 Additional tips
• Research strange terminology or concepts.
• While reading, make a note of any unfamiliar words.
• Evaluate the paper’s pertinence to your field of study.
• Make sure to jot down important information as you are reading.
• Engage in a discussion about the article with colleagues or mentors.
• Employ critical thinking and refrain from unquestioningly accepting any information you encounter. Assess
the research methodologies employed and the reasoning behind the derived conclusions.
• Proficiency in reading research papers is enhanced via regular practice. To enhance your proficiency in com-
prehending and analyzing scientific material, it is advisable to maintain a regular habit of reading scholarly
publications.

4 Conclusion
In this paper, I explain the process of enhancing one’s efficiency in comprehending a research work. I present
a systematic approach for reading a research paper. I categorize a paper into three sections in order to read it.
Presumably, the technique will assist you in enhancing your ability to comprehend a research article more efficiently.

5
 Acknowledgment
I wish to convey my profound appreciation to my spouse for her steadfast support and motivation during the entire
process of writing this article. Her conviction in my capabilities and her consistent support have played a crucial
role in successfully completing this work.
The unwavering presence of her patience, understanding, and love has consistently served as a wellspring
of inspiration, propelling me to explore the subject matter more profoundly and impart valuable perspectives on
enhancing the efficiency of reading research papers. This article serves as evidence of her unwavering faith in me,
and I am deeply appreciative of her influence in my life.

References
Keshav, S. (2007). How to Read a Paper. ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review, 37(3). Retrieved
2024-04-23, from https://web.stanford.edu/class/cs114/reading-keshav.pdf
Roscoe, T. (2007). Writing reviews for systems conferences.
Ubben, G. (n.d.). How to read and understand a scientific paper – Academic Resource Center.

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