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MS Applied Physical Science Program: Reading Research Papers

Resource for students in the Master of Science in Physical Sciences program.

Tips for Reading Research Articles

Reading/Evaluating Research Papers

The links provided all provide tips for reading and evaluating research papers. The fact that they all approach this in a slightly different way illustrates that there is no ONE way to accomplish this task. How you read and evaluate sources will depend on many factors including (but not limited to)

  • time available
  • deadlines
  • purpose of the readings

In some instances you may have a high volume along with a short project deadline. In these instances, you will not have time to read all of the resources closely and multiple times. This is when quick methods of reading will be most helpful. 

Other times, you may need to read for a true and deeper understanding of some aspect of research. In these moments, you will need to read, highlight, ask questions, and read again. 

All of these methods are correct. It's just a matter of when to use them and what works best for your needs in the moment.