HOW TO READ SCIENCE JOURNALS

Structure of a Scientific Paper

How to read a science paper and where to spot the “news”

THE INGREDIENTS

Title: The PunchlineAuthor list significance of order and sometimes most “significant” name is last

List of Research CentersAbstract concise summary of study Introduction history of the topic, easy to skim but provides context

Materials and MethodsResultsDiscussion this is key!!!

Check the Acknowledgments for Funding Sources!

THE TITLE Provides Everything: Clue to Whether it’s

Newsworthy for your Audience

Example: Escherichia coli 0157:H7 Populations in Ruminants Can Be Reduced by Orange Peel Feeding

VS:Applicability of Plasmid Calibrant pTC1507 in

quantification of TC1507 Maize: An Interlaboratory Study

ABSTRACT

Provides

1. Study Size

2. Significance

3. Conclusions(our results show that orange peel could be part of an intervention strategy vs. the results indicated that PTC1507 could be applicable for the quanitative

analysis of TC1507 Maize

FIRST GRAFS

A Quick Read for Context, provides your background or areas for questions

In spite of numerous hurdles that have been implemented throughout the food production chain to ensure food safety, foodborne illnesses still affect more than 48 million Americans every year. (GREAT STAT) One of the most significant foodborne pathogenic bacteria is E. Coli, etc. Phytochemicals are naturally occuring oils that have antimicrobial properties….

MATERIALS AND METHODS Details of Study Read for accuracy,

significance but usually more info than necessary to report. This is the recipe for others to confirm the data explaining precisely how the study was done.

RESULTS VERSUS DISCUSSION RESULTS PROVIDE

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

RATIONALIZES SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

PROVIDES CONTEXT

OFTEN PROJECTS FUTURE PROJECTS

REPORTING EXTRAS CHECK OTHER

PUBLICATIONS OF LEADING AUTHOR

CHECK LEADING AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS AND POTENTIAL FINANCIAL TIES

CONSIDER REPUTATION OF JOURNAL

CHECK OTHER PAPERS WITH SIMILAR TOPIC

CHECK WHETHER TOPIC OR SIMILAR TOPICS ALREADY COVERED IN MEDIA AND HOW IT WAS COVERED