How to read and abstract a research article (adapted from Investigating Communication: An Introduction to Research Methods, 2nd Edition, by Lawrence R. Frey, Carl H. Botan, and Gary L. Kreps, 1999)

1. Before reading the article word for word, try and determine the type of journal in which the article was published (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, critical, applied, theory, interdisciplinary, etc.). To determine this, look at:

A. the journal title

B. the title of other essays in the journal

C. the journal's "call for papers"

2. Then read the article title, abstract, and final discussion/conclusion. These will provide a general framework for understanding the article. Academics love long titles with colons, but titles usually are pretty explicit indicators of what the essay is about. Before you begin reading closely, make sure you have a solid sense of the main argument/thesis of the essay.

3. Determine the format for the essay:

A. Qualitative and quantitative formats may vary, but usually include:

1. Introduction: Does the introduction frame the study within the larger scholarly conversation? Does the introduction clearly articulate the argument and preview how it will be developed? Does the introduction make you want to keep reading?

2. Rationale for the study/literature review: Is the study well-grounded? Is there a good argument for the research choices made? Usually researchers will pose a problem that needs to be studied and ask research questions and/or hypotheses.

3. Methods description: Look for things like sample size (n=), diversity in population studied, self-report versus observation, interaction, studied over time. etc. All studies have limitations and these choices will vary with qualitative and quantitative work, but choices should make sense given overall goals of the study.

4. Data results: This section is not always easy to follow in quantitative studies, so look for bottom lines, e.g. differences or relationships found between variables, “significant” results.

5. Discussion: Does the researcher place the results into the bigger body of knowledge? Do they make meaning of the study without making exaggerated claims? Does the discussion refer back to the literature review used in the rationale for the study? Does the author identify limitations of the study and directions for further needed research?

B. Critical/Theoretical formats vary widely. There is no set format for critical/theoretical essays. Instead, the format is determined by how the author chooses to develop the argument. Although no set structure is dictated, usually the following elements are located somewhere in the paper.

1. Introduction: Does the introduction frame the study within the larger scholarly conversation? Does the introduction clearly articulate the argument and preview how it will be developed? Does the introduction make you want to keep reading?

2. Development of a heuristic vocabulary. In most critical studies, there is no clear division between the literature review and the methods section. Instead, as part of discussing existing literature, authors will create a heuristic vocabulary that will enable them to write with more nuance about the text or theory issue they are discussing. In some cases, there may be a section detailing a general theory (i.e. Burke's pentadic criticism), but then particulars of that theory will be developed later in the paper.

3. Analysis of text or theoretical problem. Here, authors conduct a close read either of a communication artifact or of a theoretical writing, making clear the subtleties of the text/theory. The analysis section may be broken down into multiple subsections.

4. Conclusion: Does the researcher place the results into the bigger body of knowledge? Do they make meaning of the study without making exaggerated claims? Does the discussion refer back to the literature referenced earlier in the study? Does the author identify limitations of the study and directions for further needed research?

4. Revisit your earlier description of the argument. After you have finished reading the essay, can you articulate the agrument with more depth and precision? Was your initial formulation of the argument correct? What questions have been raised by the essay's conclusions?