Member-only story

Notes to Guide Students Reading Primary Literature with Teaching Tips

Gary Cox

·5.8k Followers· Follow

Published in How To Read And Critique A Scientific Research Article: Notes To Guide Students Reading Primary Literature (With Teaching Tips For Faculty Members)

5 min read

1.5k View Claps

96 Respond

Save

Listen

Primary literature is a vital tool for students in understanding the history and development of their field of study. It provides them with first-hand accounts of the research and discoveries that have shaped their discipline. However, reading primary literature can be a challenging task for students, as it is often written in a dense and technical style that can be difficult to understand. This guide provides notes to help students read primary literature more effectively, as well as teaching tips for instructors to use in the classroom.

Notes for Students

Before You Read:

Read the abstract. The abstract is a brief summary of the article that will provide you with an overview of the main points. This will help you to focus your reading and to identify the key concepts that you need to understand.
Read the . The will provide you with the background information that you need to understand the article. This will include the context of the research, the main research questions, and the methods that were used.
Skim the headings and subheadings. This will give you a general overview of the structure of the article and will help you to identify the main sections.

As You Read:

Take notes. As you read, take notes on the main points of the article. This will help you to remember the key concepts and to follow the argument of the author.
Highlight important passages. As you read, highlight important passages that you want to remember or that you may want to come back to later.
Look up unfamiliar terms. If you come across any unfamiliar terms, look them up in a dictionary or online. This will help you to understand the meaning of the term and to follow the argument of the author.
Identify the author's argument. As you read, try to identify the author's main argument. This will help you to understand the purpose of the article and to follow the author's train of thought.
Evaluate the evidence. As you read, evaluate the evidence that the author presents to support their argument. Is the evidence valid and reliable? Does it support the author's claims?

After You Read:

Summarize the article. Once you have finished reading the article, write a brief summary of the main points. This will help you to review the material and to check your understanding.
Reflect on the article. Take some time to reflect on the article that you have read. What did you learn from it? How did it challenge your thinking? What questions do you still have?

Teaching Tips

Provide students with background information. Before students begin reading primary literature, provide them with the necessary background information to help them understand the context of the research. This can include information about the history of the field, the major theoretical perspectives, and the key methodologies.
Teach students how to read effectively. Teach students the effective reading strategies that are outlined in the notes for students section above. These strategies will help students to identify the main points of the article, to follow the argument of the author, and to evaluate the evidence.
Provide opportunities for students to practice reading primary literature. The best way for students to learn how to read primary literature is to practice. Provide them with opportunities to read and discuss primary literature in class. This will help them to develop their skills and to gain confidence in their ability to read this type of material.
Encourage students to ask questions. Encourage students to ask questions about the primary literature that they are reading. This will help them to clarify their understanding and to identify areas where they need more information.
Use primary literature in your teaching. Use primary literature in your teaching to help students to see how research is actually conducted and to understand the development of your field of study. This will help them to become more critical thinkers and to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Reading primary literature is a valuable skill for students in any field of study. By following the notes and tips outlined in this guide, students can learn to read primary literature effectively and to gain a deeper understanding of their field of study. Instructors can also use these tips to help students to develop their reading skills and to become more engaged in their learning.