Reading Research

Reports

Dr. Nidal F. Eshah

RN, CNS, PhD
 Types of Research Reports
1. Journal articles
– Papers often subjected to peer review

2. Presentations at professional conferences

Oral presentations
 Onsite
 Online
Poster sessions
 Content of Research Journal
Articles

Abstract
– Introduction
– Method Section
– Results
– Discussion
– References
 Abstracts

Brief description of major features of a study at

the beginning of the journal article

– Old style—single paragraph, about 200 words

– New style—more detailed abstracts with
specific headings
 Introduction
Describes:
 Central phenomena, concepts, or variables
 Statement of purpose, research questions
 Study significance, need for study
 Review of literature
 Theoretical/conceptual framework
 Method Section
In Quantitative Studies Describes:
 Research design
 Subjects
 Measures and data collection
 Study procedures
 Ethical issues
 Data analysis
 Results Section
Presents the results

Quantitative Studies:
 Descriptive information (e.g., description of
subjects)
 Results of statistical analyses
– Names of statistical tests
– Value of calculated statistic
– Level of statistical significance
 Results Section (cont’d)
Quantitative Studies (cont’d):
Level of statistical significance—index of how
probable it is that the findings are reliable

For example, p < .05:

Probability is less than 5 in 100 that the findings are
spurious (probability is 95 in 100 that the findings
are ―real‖)
 Discussion

Includes:
 Interpretation of the results (Findings)
 Study limitations
 Implications
 Recommendations
 Conclusions
 Style of Research Journal Articles

Could be difficult to glean the ―story‖ being told

because of:
 Compactness—page constraints
 Jargon
 Objectivity, impersonality
 Statistical information
 Tips on Digesting Research
Reports
 Read regularly, get used to style
 Read copied articles—underline, highlight, write
notes
 Read slowly
 Read actively
 Look up technical terms in glossary
 Don’t be intimidated by statistics—grasp gist of story
 ―Translate‖ articles or abstracts