How to Read a Scholarly Article: Planning Resources

•  2018 UROC SURI Reading Research Articles Lesson Plan

•  2019 UROC SURI Reading Research Articles Lesson Plan Flipped Version

Examples of Lesson Materials

• 6 Strategies for Reading Scholarly Articles Workshop Fall 2019

•  Worksheet Soc 182

•  Presentation Soc 182

•  Fall 2020 Zoom Presentation: Poli Sci 123

• Poli Sci 123 Master Spreadsheet

  Used to consolidate breakout room responses.

"How to Use a Source: The BEAM Method" from Hunter College Libraries 2014

• the BEAM method provides a structure for evaluating the usefulness of different types of sources 

"How to read a scientific paper" by Adam Ruben 20 Jan. 2016

• highlights the struggle of reading scholarly papers (tongue-in-cheek)

"How to (seriously) read a scientific paper" by Elizabeth Pain 21 March 2016

• interviews scientists for their reading strategies

"Reading Games: Strategies for Reading Scholarly Sources" by Karen Rosenberg 2011

• outlines strategies for rhetorical reading; refers to reading as a conversation

•  Analyzing a Journal Article: UC Merced Library (Word)

  6 sections containing 2-3 questions each, focusing on the key points of the article.

• Tips for Reading Scholarly and Journal Articles

  Interactive website including a chart that highlights different strategies based upon the purpose of reading, such as assigned reading, determining sources for a paper, and for a research project.

• How to Quickly Scan & Evaluate a Scholarly Article: QVCC Libraries (3:12)

• How to Read and Comprehend Scientific Research Articles: University of Minnesota Libraries (5:03)

• Reading Research Articles (Social Sciences): Utah State University Libraries (3:16)

Stobo, Wilson, Alyson M., et al. “Feral Cats and Habitat Degradation Drive Mammal Declines in Northwestern Australia: An Expert Elicitation to Prioritize Management Actions.” Conservation Science & Practice, vol. 7, no. 8, Aug. 2025, pp. 1–18. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.70098.

Gerhardt, Bruna C., et al. "Role of Self-Criticism in Postpartum Mental Health: A Network Analysis." Psicologia, Reflexão e Crítica, vol. 37, no. 1, 2024, pp. 38. ProQuest, https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-024-00321-2.

Jones, Deborah J., et al. "Linking Childhood Sexual Abuse and Early Adolescent Risk Behavior: The Intervening Role of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems." Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, vol. 41, no. 1, 2013, pp. 139-50. ProQuest, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9656-1.

• Reading Scholarly Books & Articles (Introduction to Digital Humanities)

  See Slides from Miriam Posner. This includes gutting a book.

• Anatomy of an Article Interactive Site

  Dissect each section of a scientific research article on this interactive site from Ask a Biologist at Arizona State University.

• Anatomy of a Scholarly Article Tutorial

  From NCSU, click on various parts of a sample science article to view descriptions of each section. Methods and Discussion sections are not explicitly called out and included in the Article Text section.

• Scholarly Article Autopsy Activity Presentation

  Consortium of Academic And Research Libraries in Illinois presentation detailing instructions for an activity focusing on the components of scholarly articles. Sociology focus.

• Parts of a Scholarly Article Pie Graphic

  Graphics and explanatory text from Valdosta State University Reading Scholarly Articles LibGuide.

Lanier Technical College Libraries

Marci Manglitz
Director of Library Services
Hall Campus
770-533-6968
mmanglitz@laniertech.edu

Min Su
Librarian
Forsyth Campus
678-341-6636
msu@laniertech.edu

Tina Jordan
Librarian
Dawson Campus
678-513-5221
tjordan@laniertech.edu

Jocelyn Deal
Librarian
Barrow Campus
770-297-4525
jdeal@laniertech.edu