University Kasdi Merbah Ouargla

Faculty of Geology & Renewable Energies

Scientific English class

Introduction
 The Significance of Scientific Articles:
• Scientific articles are the primary means of disseminating new research
findings and advancing scientific knowledge.
• Scientific articles are peer-reviewed, which ensures a certain level of
quality and credibility.
• Reading and understanding scientific articles is crucial for staying up-to-
date with the latest developments in any field of study or research.
• Emphasize that the ability to effectively read, analyze, and summarize
scientific articles is a fundamental skill for researchers, academics, and
students.
 The Role of Scientific Articles in Academia:
In academia, scientific articles are used to:
• Inform and guide research projects
• Support arguments and hypotheses
• Provide background information and context
• Critically evaluate existing research
• Identify gaps in knowledge and areas for further investigation
For students, being able to read and understand scientific articles is essential
for conducting literature reviews, writing research papers, and staying
current in their field of study.
Objectives of the Session:
Clearly state the three main objectives of the session:
1. Learn how to read and comprehend scientific
articles effectively
2. Develop skills for critically analyzing scientific
articles
3. Learn techniques for summarizing scientific articles
concisely and accurately
 How to Read a
Scientific Article
 Structure of a Scientific Article:
• Title: Provides a concise description of the study's focus
• Abstract: A brief summary of the study, including the research question,
methods, key findings, and conclusions
• Introduction: Provides background information, identifies gaps in existing
knowledge, and states the research question or hypothesis
• Methods: Describes the materials, techniques, and procedures used in the study,
allowing for replication
• Results: Presents the data and findings from the study, often including figures,
tables, and statistical analyses
• Discussion: Interprets the results, compares them to previous research,
discusses limitations, and outlines implications and future directions
• Conclusion: Summarizes the main findings and their significance
• References: Lists the sources cited in the article
 Tips for Effective Reading:
Skim the abstract and conclusion first:
• Explain that skimming these sections first can provide an overview of the study and
help readers understand the context and main findings
• Read the introduction and discussion sections carefully:
• The introduction sets the stage for the research question and hypothesis
• The discussion section provides critical analysis and interpretation of the results
• Pay attention to figures, tables, and captions:
• Visual representations and captions can convey important information and aid in
understanding the results
• Take notes as you read:
• Encourage students to actively engage with the text by taking notes, highlighting key
points, and noting any questions or areas of confusion
 Critical Reading:
• Emphasize the importance of reading scientific articles with a critical
mindset
• Encourage students to question the study's assumptions, methods,
and conclusions
• Discuss the need to evaluate the strengths and limitations of the
research
 Strategies for Effective Reading:
• Suggest strategies for reading scientific articles effectively, such as:
• Reading the article multiple times, focusing on different sections
each time
• Looking up unfamiliar terms or concepts
• Considering the context and broader implications of the study
• Identifying the main claims and supporting evidence
Analyzing a Scientific
Article
Evaluating the Research Question and Hypothesis:
The importance of a clear, well-defined research question or hypothesis:
• A good research question should be specific, focused, and address a gap in
existing knowledge
• It should be answerable through empirical investigation
• Discuss how to assess whether the hypothesis is testable and relevant to the
research question
• A testable hypothesis should be falsifiable and make a clear prediction
• It should be logically connected to the research question and the study's
design
 Assessing the Methods:
Provide criteria for evaluating the appropriateness and rigor of the methods used:
• Were the methods suitable for addressing the research question?
• Were the materials, procedures, and measurements described in sufficient detail
to allow replication?
• Were appropriate controls or comparison groups used?
• Were potential sources of bias or confounding factors considered?
• Discuss potential limitations or weaknesses in the methods:
• Small sample sizes, lack of randomization, or inadequate controls
• Measurement errors or issues with instrumentation
• Ethical concerns or feasibility constraints
 Interpreting the Results:
Explain how to critically evaluate the presentation and interpretation of the
results:
• Are the results clearly and accurately reported?
• Do the figures, tables, and statistical analyses support the claims made?
• Are the statistical analyses appropriate and correctly interpreted?
• Are alternative explanations or confounding factors addressed?
• Discuss the importance of considering the study's limitations and potential
sources of bias when interpreting the results
 Evaluating the Discussion and Conclusions:
Provide guidelines for assessing whether the conclusions are supported by the
results:
• Do the conclusions logically follow from the data and analyses presented?
• Are the claims and interpretations reasonable and well-justified?
• Are limitations and potential alternative explanations acknowledged?
• Discuss the importance of evaluating the broader implications and future
directions suggested:
• Are the implications and recommendations well-grounded in the study's findings?
• Are potential applications or areas for future research adequately discussed?
Writing a Summary
of a Scientific
Article
 Purpose and Structure of a Summary:
Explain the purpose of a summary:
• To provide a concise overview of the key aspects of a scientific study
• To highlight the main findings and conclusions in a clear and accessible manner
• Discuss the typical structure of a summary:
• Background and research question
• A brief overview of methods
• Main results
• Key conclusions and implications
 Components of a Summary:
Provide detailed guidelines for each component of a summary:
• Background and research question:
• Briefly introduce the context and rationale for the study
• Clearly state the research question or hypothesis
• Methods (brief overview):
• Provide a high-level description of the study design, participants/subjects, and key procedures
• Avoid excessive technical details or lengthy descriptions
Main results:
• Summarize the key findings, focusing on the most important and relevant data
• Present numerical data and statistical analyses in a clear and concise manner
• Key conclusions and implications:
• State the main conclusions drawn from the results
• Discuss the broader implications and potential applications of the findings
• Mention any limitations or future directions suggested by the authors
 Tips for Effective Summarizing:
Use your own words (avoid direct quotes):
• Emphasize the importance of paraphrasing and synthesizing the information in your own words
• Explain that direct quotes should be used sparingly and only for particularly relevant or memorable
statements
• Focus on the most important points:
• Encourage students to prioritize the key findings, conclusions, and implications
• Suggest omitting or minimizing less relevant details or tangential information
Be concise and objective:
• Remind students to aim for a clear and concise writing style
• Emphasize the need for an objective and impartial tone, avoiding personal opinions or biases
Maintain a logical flow and coherence:
• Discuss the importance of organizing the summary in a logical and coherent manner
• Suggest using transition phrases and topic sentences to improve flow and readability
 OPEN
DISCUSSION