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Science Honours: Reading critically

Reading an original research article critically

An "original research article" reports the results of original or primary research and can take many forms. The article should also look at how the study adds knowledge to what is already known. 

When you start reading a scientific research article it will help if you understand what is included in the different sections and what you should look for. Have a look at the article below to get a few tips on how to read an article critically.

Subramanyam, R. V. (2013). Art of reading a journal article: Methodically and effectively. Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology,17(1), 65-70. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-029X.110733

Evaluating a review paper

Review papers summarise and evaluate the current knowledge on a selected topic. Common types of review articles include narrative reviews; systematic reviews and scoping reviews. Have a look at the Library's Literature Review Guide for more information on Types of literature reviews.

The article below can help you read and evaluate a review article.

Callcut, R. A., & Branson, R. D. (2009). How to read a review paper. Respiratory Care, 54(10), 1379-1385. 

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