Rather than reading straight through, try reading strategically by prioritizing different sections of the article. Here's a few strategies you can use:
Scholarly articles are published in academic journals. While the content and conventions found in each journal is field-specific, often there are similarities that most academic articles share.
Below is a shortened version of a scholarly article adapted to identify the parts of an article. Let’s look at some of the most common sections found in scholarly articles by using this sample. Keep in mind that not every section in a scholarly article will have the exact same heading that's listed in this example. For example, the "Introduction" section might be labeled as "Background" instead.
Click each of the orange plus signs to learn more.
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This section is a derivative of "Parts of a Scholarly Article" by Kathy Essmiller, licensed under CC BY-NC.
The purpose of this assignment is to seek out academic writing that would be of interest to someone in your career field. You will be researching and reading "like a professional" by dissecting higher-level academic journal articles. These will be sources written by experts for other experts. Though this can feel intimidating, you can use your active reading strategies to get a basic understanding of the content, determine the structure, and how the information is shared among professionals.
Start part three of the assignment by watching the videos below and browsing the interactive scholarly article at the bottom of this page. These resources provide information that explains the purpose, audience, and format of most academic articles, as well as how to read them effectively and efficiently.
Next, click on the left-side tab with your FOI. There you will find a brief explanation about how information is shared in your FOI, as well as tips on how to read within your discipline. Finally, you will see links to PC library databases where you can search for academic articles in your field--be sure to watch the instructional video that demonstrates how to access and search databases to find the sources you're looking for.
Sometimes your instructor might require you to use scholarly articles for your assignment, but what does that mean? Watch the video from Vanderbilt University below to find out how to distinguish between scholarly and popular sources.
Your approach to reading a scholarly journal will change as you learn more about a certain discipline or subject area.
Consider:
