How to Read Journal Articles in the Social Sciences: A Very Practical Guide for Students

by Phillip Chong Ho Shon

Using a reading code sheet developed by the author, this book teaches students how to approach social and behavioral science journal articles as texts that can be deciphered structurally, mechanically, and grammatically. The included reading code sheet and reading strategies will allow students and researchers to systematize the reading, note-taking, and organizing of voluminous amounts of information in an easily identifiable and retrievable format, and will be a huge confidence boost to those who struggle with this first phase in the writing process.

Genres: Textbooks, Sociology

120 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Seb Yawlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book for my masters which I read cover to cover. Returning to higher education was a daunting prospect for me and particularly to study at masters level. However, Shon’s book provides a robust structure for tackling journals in the field I am studying whilst providing an accessible and understandable reasoning behind it. Before I launched into journals, I was unsure exactly how to read them without sitting there after quarter of an hour thinking, “What have I just read?” Now however, I feel equipped to begin this task and I look forward to it too.

[Algirdas Kraunaitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a very specific way of reading journal articles, a method that would be useful for those interested in making their academic lives a bit easier. I do not envision students following this method unless shown by lecturers during classroom time, so I a bit conflicted on the target audience for this book - is it students or lecturers? My own personal feelings veer towards the later.

[Terry Freedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was studying at school, I used different coloured pens to denote different kinds of notes, e.g. green meant someone’s opinion, while red meant factual information. When I went on to university I discovered packs of rainbow coloured paper, so I wrote biographical notes on yellow paper and key revision points on red paper. The author of this book has devised a much simpler (and cheaper) method of annotating notes, using codes such as SPL — Summary of Previous Literature. I believe that teachers might want to adapt this kind of structured approach to help their pupils read properly.

That sounds very insulting, because as the author points out, teachers assume that by the time youngsters reach secondary school age they are competent readers. However, unless they have been trained or have trained themselves to do otherwise, they probably read in the same way they were taught to when they were five years old.

This is not an easy read, being aimed at university students (I think) and their lecturers. However, I believe that it could be useful for teachers who despair at their pupils’ poor reading habits and/or low retention rates.

[V Massaglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with great intentions. I really appreciate the effort put into this work. Although for others ,it may be quite helpful; but for me, his technique is a bit too complex. And yes, I was looking for a magic bullet where I can just absorb the info. But I'm just not going to remember all of the codes he is suggesting no matter how hard I work at it. I was helpful in that it'll help me looking for specific things when reading articles. Thanks Dr. Chong Ho.

I'm starting to read the APA manual now. Should be 'fun!'

V