How to read and analyze scientific papers
from the
primary literature
Your understanding will be facilitated by
taking written
notes
Read each paper more than once; attend to the tables and figures
(make sure you
understand them all). TAKE
NOTES
General things to consider:
1-define terms, concepts
2-examine hypotheses-what was the question
3-why were particular methods used given the above question
4-interpret graphs, tables
5-are interpretations of the data persuasive
6-summarize significant points
7-do next
Introduction
1-what are the main questions
2-what background informs the questions
3-are there specific hypotheses (that indicate
a direction)
Materials and Methods
1-do the methods permit the authors to address
their
questions (THIS IS IMPORTANT!)
2-does the proposed analysis of the data make
sense
3-understand the statistical and mathematical
analyses (if
appropriate, identify the dependent and independent variables)
Results
1-what are the results (understand all figures
& tables;
attend to figure legends)
2-what are significant effects
3-do the methods permit the data reported
Discussion
1-do the authors claim that their results
support or do not
support their hypotheses
2-how do they interpret their results
3-are their results (given the methods by which
they
collected their data and the way they analyzed their data)
consistent with
their interpretation?
4-are there other hypotheses that might be
consistent with
their results
5-are you persuaded by the authors’
conclusions-why or why
not
For each paper, include in your notes:
1-complete this sentence: The thesis of this paper
is……
2-what experiments would you DO NEXT?
How to facilitate a paper discussion
The facilitator should NOT lecture but rather encourage a lively
discussion
among the other students. The facilitator should feel at
ease calling
upon ANYONE in the class to explain, or disagree, or define, or
justify,
etc. (THIS IS DIFFICULT BUT THE FACILITATOR MUST DO IT). Use the “things to
consider” above. Make transparencies
or ppt slides of figures, tables, photos, etc.
Hints for all of us
DO:
-participate
in the
discussion of every paper
-come
to class
sufficiently prepared to facilitate whether it’s your turn or not
-LISTEN TO OTHERS
-ask questions
-agree or disagree
-encourage others
AVOID:
-dominating the
conversation
-withdrawing from the conversation
-interrupting others
-getting side-tracked
-putting others down