When you find an article of interest in the library databases, it is essential you understand how to scan through information about the article. Attributes specific to the article, such as the Title, Author, or creator, the Date published, the Abstract, a brief summary of the article, and the Introduction, Conclusion and References. Below is an image of what a typical scholarly article looks like, along with colors highlighting the different parts of the article's structure. After the image you will find a detailed explanation of the different sections of a scholarly article.
An abstract summarizes a research article by outlining its purpose, methodology, and key findings. It is typically placed at the beginning of the article and is labeled as "Abstract."
The introduction section describes the research study, presents the thesis statement, and highlights its significance. While reading this section, consider the thesis and the contributions of the authors to the field.
The literature review examines prior research relevant to the study and identifies gaps in the existing literature. Key questions to consider include whether the review logically leads to the research questions and if it includes appropriate, relevant articles.
The methodology section explains how the research was conducted, detailing data collection methods, limitations, and the study's replicability. Important points to evaluate include the suitability of the research method, sample size, and data analysis techniques.
In the discussion section, the authors reflect on their findings and their implications. They may also draw conclusions about the research and discuss its significance, along with any issues encountered during the study or considerations regarding specific populations involved.
The results section presents the findings, while the discussion section interprets these findings, focusing on their significance and any research limitations.
Finally, the conclusion summarizes the research and suggests directions for future actions or studies. The article will also include a reference list that cites all sources the creators/authors used in this research.
