Steps to Understanding a Research Report

Record notes only in enough detail to support recall in the absence of the original document. Except for Item 1, use abbreviations, diagrams, shorthand, and a careful selection of only what is essential to the study. Work on this sheet only (except for Item 6), and do not be tempted to run onto additional pages.

1. What study is this? (Record a full reference citation.)

2. What kind of study is this (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)?

3. What was the general purpose of the study? What questions does it raise?

4. How does answering the research question(s) add something new to what is already known? If the study is a replication, why is that important?

5. Who or what was studied? (number and key characteristics)

6. In sequential order, what were the major steps in performing the study? (Record these in a flowchart-use additional sheet only if needed.) Do not just repeat details from Items 1-5 and 7-10. Create an explanatory sketch that a year from now would help you recall how the study was done.

7. What data were recorded and used for analysis? (e.g., questionnaire responses, test scores, field notes, meter readings, etc.)

8. What kind(s) of data analysis was used? (e.g., statistical, logical categorization, etc.)

9. What were the results? (After analysis, what do the data from Item 7 say about the Question(s) raised in Item 3?)

10. What does the author conclude? (In light of both Item 9 and the entire study experience, what is said about Item 3?)

11. What cautions does the author raise about interpreting the study, and what do you think are important reservations?

12. What particularly interesting or valuable things did you learn from reading the report? (Consider results, method, discussion, references, etc.)