CHEM 3522: Advanced Synthesis Lab

Scholarly or Peer Reviewed articles undergo a review process by experts in the field.  This review process helps ensure that the information in the article is credible, objective, and follows proper research procedures before it is published.  Examples of scholarly/peer reviewed research includes articles in scientific journals, textbooks, and some specialty encyclopedias.  If you have any questions about whether an article you've located is scholarly/peer reviewed, please ASK your professor or a reference librarian before you use it!

This two minute video from Western University gives an excellent tutorial on how to read academic writing.

Abstract

• summary of the article
• use the abstract to quickly get an idea of what will be covered in the article

Introduction & Thesis Statement

• describes the problem the author is trying to solve
• should contain the thesis statement (or exact question being answered)
• gives a brief break down of the question, and what the author hopes to find

Methods

• explains how the study was conducted and what was involved
• answers "what did the author do?"  & "who/what was it done to?"

Results

• explains the outcome of the study
• answers "what happened?" or "what did the author find?"

Discussion

• compares findings to previous research, talks about any limitations, and suggests related areas to be studied
• interprets the results, suggest what comes next, and any reason the author feels the methods did not yield expected results

References

• contains all the articles, other works, the author cited in their article
• (Tip: reference sections are a GREAT place to look for additional articles for your own papers!)