Research Guides: PSYC 301: Intro to Research Methods: Article Cards

Article Card Summary

Front side of card -- basic info from a quick-scan

• Author, Year, 5 words from title

• Constructs/keywords, labeled as IV (independent variable) or DV (dependent variable)

• Does it focus on specific context or population?

Back side of card -- more detailed after reading article more closely

1. Purpose of the study (i.e., the research question it aims to answer)

2. Describe key findings relevant to YOUR conceptual framework

3. Note the explanations relevant to your framework

a. For example, authors' explanation for the predicted hypothesis
[2-3 sentences per hypothesis]

b. For example, authors' explanation for why or how the findings occurred?
(i.e. what is the authors' theoretical explanation for the findings?)
[2-3 sentences per key finding]

4. Explain the implications/relevance of findings to YOUR lit review [1-2 sentences]

Try diverse ways to read

Multiple incomplete reads: Chunk the article, read parts, then come back
- Builds foundation on which new knowledge can build
- Creates mental pathways for familiarity
- Increases quality of information input
- Easy to feel successful, builds momentum
- Good when you only have brief amounts of time
Read in new ways: Read aloud or have text read to you
- Most internet browser will read websites and PDFs.
- Microsoft Edge Read Aloud
- Accessible tools like CaptiVoice, smart pens (message Candace Combs)
- Many library databases have read aloud options