Transcript How_to_read_a_science_paper

HOW TO READ SCIENCE JOURNALS
Structure of a Scientific Paper
How to read a science
paper and where to
spot the “news”
THE INGREDIENTS
Title:
The Punchline
Author list significance of order and sometimes most “significant” name is last
List of Research Centers
Abstract concise summary of study
Introduction history of the topic, easy to skim but provides context
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion this is key!!!
Check the Acknowledgments for Funding Sources!
THE TITLE

Provides Everything: Clue to Whether it’s
Newsworthy for your Audience
Example: Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Populations in
Ruminants Can Be Reduced by Orange Peel
Feeding
VS:
Applicability of Plasmid Calibrant pTC1507 in
quantification of TC1507 Maize: An
Interlaboratory Study
ABSTRACT
Provides
1. Study Size
2. Significance
3. Conclusions
(our results show that orange peel could be part of an intervention strategy vs.
the results indicated that PTC1507 could be applicable for the quanitative
analysis of TC1507 Maize
FIRST GRAFS

A Quick Read for Context, provides your
background or areas for questions

In spite of numerous hurdles that have been implemented throughout the food
production chain to ensure food safety, foodborne illnesses still affect more
than 48 million Americans every year. (GREAT STAT) One of the most
significant foodborne pathogenic bacteria is E. Coli, etc. Phytochemicals are
naturally occuring oils that have antimicrobial properties….
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Details of Study

Read for accuracy,
significance but
usually more info
than necessary to
report. This is the
recipe for others to
confirm the data
explaining precisely
how the study was
done.
RESULTS VERSUS
DISCUSSION


RESULTS PROVIDE
STATISTICAL
ANALYSIS
RATIONALIZES
SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE STUDY


PROVIDES
CONTEXT
OFTEN PROJECTS
FUTURE PROJECTS
REPORTING EXTRAS



CHECK OTHER
PUBLICATIONS OF
LEADING AUTHOR
CHECK LEADING
AUTHOR’S
CREDENTIALS AND
POTENTIAL FINANCIAL
TIES
CONSIDER
REPUTATION OF
JOURNAL


CHECK OTHER
PAPERS WITH
SIMILAR TOPIC
CHECK WHETHER
TOPIC OR SIMILAR
TOPICS ALREADY
COVERED IN MEDIA
AND HOW IT WAS
COVERED