Well it depends on what are you looking for in article:

1. just methods

2. something to cite/copy the reference/

3. Find an interesting point of view

4. Compare results with yours

5. To learn more about some topic

This is how i read articles...depending what i search within the article, but reading the abstract is always helpful whatever your searching for...

all best

Nikola

Well it depends on what are you looking for in article:

1. just methods

2. something to cite/copy the reference/

3. Find an interesting point of view

4. Compare results with yours

5. To learn more about some topic

This is how i read articles...depending what i search within the article, but reading the abstract is always helpful whatever your searching for...

all best

Nikola

Hello,

First, you need to read an abstrakt and you need to understand, interesting for you this article or not.

Secondly, if you're interested some general information about the problem - the best variant to focus on the introduction,and if you want to cite this article or you're interested some results of research,opening a specific problem - you must read an artikle in full.

Sincerely,

Maxim

Very important and interesting question which is also the one I keep asking around. I like what was mentioned by Nikola but not agree with him completely. It depends on what is your purpose.

To understand the problem, to quote the article, or just want to learn something should be considered before answering your question. I will suggest you to read through the whole article and not infrequently your will be amazed that you learn something you initially did not expected. But in reality nobody can read through tons of article available nowadays. I have once quoted an article by the abstract and later found out the conclusion in the article was totally different from the abstract which was the first part I read most of the time.

I know it may be difficult to read some research articles that are not in your research field. But, ask yourself why you need to read them? If the article is too far away from you and you have no intention to throw yourself into that field then you probably do not need to read it. It will not be too hard to read the article if you desperately need the methodology or really is mandatory to your research work. This happened to me multiple times. I have read some articles years ago and was completely confused and struggled for hours for nothing.Years later I read it because I need the methodology and found it was easy to digest the message.

In my opinion you should first follow the title and abstract of the paper you are interested. The abstract will tell you the content of the article. If you find it interesting for you then you could read the full article.

Thanks guys.. Actually I did read like most of guys mention it. Usually, I start from abstract, conclusion, and if I am interested I will read through the introduction methodology, result and discussion. However, I am quiet interested with d question, is it really important to read the whole paper and very understand that paper before you cite it or it will be irresponsible if you did't read the whole (maybe only abstract) and then cite it?

For examples, if you want to cite an old paper that have been well-cited by other researchers, then do you really need to read the whole paper just to cite the same finding like others cited? Something to think about ;)

Some more tips are available in the related question:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Scientific_Reading-Tips_and_Tricks-How_to_keep_up_to_Date_in_your_subject_find_new_citations_etc

The question asked seems very interesting and relevant. All the postings are very informative as well. I wanna share my personal opinion in this regard. The way I read articles vary depending upon my role. If the purpose is to learn new methods, techniques, possible ideas or just to keep me updated in the areas of my interest, I read very selectively by finding the new advancements, methods and ideas. Usually by going through the abstract at a glance and then the introduction and discussion section. I then try to read the methods and results section in detail if the previous sections attract me.

When I am reviewing or editing an article I become more through and I read entire article very very carefully because this time I am not handling the exact area I work on, there could be a 50% match with my interest and rest is allied but little different. Where I also need some extra homework to understand the logic or the ideas behind. There I put enough attention in the references and citations as well for more background information.

Thank you Amritial, very interesting comment you got there.

Thanks artur for the links.. really helpful