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How to do Library Research

Practical guidance on how to execute quality research using library services and resources and develop information literacy skills that support lifelong learning. This guide was co-created by the Research & Instruction Department and the Research & Instr

How to read a scholarly article

Skim first

You do not need to read the entire article first. Start by reading the abstract, the introduction, and the conclusion to determine if the article is relevant to your research topic.

Next, read in depth

If the article is relevant to your research topic, determine which parts you want to read in more depth. Give yourself plenty of time to read complex sections more than once for understanding.

Mark up the text or make notes

Make notes about relevant information. Highlight, circle, write in the margins, or use digital markup features to help you refer back to important information later.

Look up unfamiliar words, practices, and concepts

Scholarly articles often use jargon or specialized terminology. Take time to look up words, practices, or concepts that are new to you. This will help you better understand the content.

What are the parts of a scholarly article?

Explore the  Anatomy of a Scholarly Article is an interactive tutorial presented by NCSU Libraries.

What does a scholarly article look like in my discipline?

Click on the links below for examples of scholarly articles from a few different fields:

Arts

Impressionism and the Standardization of Time: Claude Monet at Gare Saint-Lazare

Notice how this article includes images of the paintings discussed, as well as other relevant illustrations and photographs.

Humanities 

Friendship, Renunciation, and a Celebration of the Transcendent Self: Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop After One Hundred Years

Notice that this article does not have the formal section headings that the articles in the social sciences and STEM do.

Social Sciences 

Aligning Students and Counseling Centers on Student Mental Health Needs and Treatment Resources

Notice the section headings in this article: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. Also notice the inclusion of tables to present research findings.

STEM 

The Press and Pulse of Climate Change: Extreme Events in the Colorado River Basin

Notice the section headings in this article: Introduction, Planning and Extremes, Colorado River Basin Context, The Press of Climate Change in the Colorado River Basin, Where Press Meets Pulse and Subsequent Impacts, Extreme Events of Concern in a Changing Climate, and Conclusions. Also notice the inclusion of figures, tables, and graphs to illustrate points the authors make.