Skim the article first. Start by reading the abstract, introduction, and conclusion to get a sense of what the article is about and what the main arguments are. This can help you decide if the article is relevant to your research and worth reading in more detail.
Read actively. When reading the article, actively engage with the content by taking notes and highlighting key points. Try to identify the author’s main arguments and supporting evidence, and take note of any important terms or concepts.
Focus on the structure. Scholarly articles often follow a standard structure, with sections for the introduction, literature review, methods, results, and conclusion. Pay attention to the structure of the article to help you understand the flow of the author’s argument.
Use outside sources. When reading scholarly articles, it can be helpful to have outside sources available to help you understand any concepts or terminology that you are not familiar with. Use a dictionary or other reference material to help you better understand the content.
Take breaks. Reading scholarly articles can be challenging, so take breaks as needed to avoid burnout. This can help you stay focused and engaged with the content.
By following these strategies, you can read scholarly articles more effectively and efficiently, and better understand the content and arguments presented in them.