ArticlePloS one2017
Perceptions of scientific research literature and strategies for reading papers depend on academic career stage.
Article in PloS one, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
27 citing papers in PubMed.
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- A bioinformatics-driven CURE extension increases student self-efficacy and interest in biomedical research.Journal of microbiology & biology education · 2025Article
- A multi-perspective qualitative study on robotic-assisted surgery training demand.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Fostering Empathy Through Play: The Impact ofBehavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- What Happens When Undergraduate Biology Students Meet with Professional Scientists to Discuss Research? An Exploratory Investigation into Scientific Discourse, Motivation, and Sense of Belonging.CBE life sciences education · 2025Article
- Integrating open education practices with data analysis of open science in an undergraduate course.Ecology and evolution · 2024Article
- Sea stack plots: Replacing bar charts with histograms.Ecology and evolution · 2024Article
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- Reading Primary Scientific Literature: Approaches for Teaching Students in the Undergraduate STEM Classroom.CBE life sciences education · 2023Review
- Impact of a Science Art Exhibit on Public Interest and Student Comprehension of Disease Ecology Research.Journal of microbiology & biology education · 2023Article
- From Novice To Expert: An Assessment To Measure Strategies Students Implement While Learning To Read Primary Scientific Literature.Journal of microbiology & biology education · 2022Article
- The Five Core Concepts of Biology as a Framework for Promoting Expert-Like Behaviors in Undergraduates Learning How to Read Primary Scientific Literature.Journal of microbiology & biology education · 2022Article
- An approachable, flexible and practical machine learning workshop for biologists.Bioinformatics (Oxford, England) · 2022Article
- Registered Nurses' experiences of reading and using research for work and education: a qualitative research study.BMC nursing · 2022Article
- Gains and Losses in Virtual Mentorship: A Descriptive Case Study of Undergraduate Mentees and Graduate Mentors in STEM Research during the COVID-19 Pandemic.CBE life sciences education · 2021Article
- Five Features to Look for in Early-Phase Clinical Intervention Studies.Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · 2021Article
- Article
- Variation in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing Among Upper-Extremity Surgery Providers.Journal of hand surgery global online · 2021Article
- Insights on biology student motivations and challenges when reading and analyzing primary literature.PloS one · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Reading primary research literature is an essential skill for all scientists and students on science degree programmes, however little is known about how researchers at different career stages interact with and interpret scientific papers. To explore this, we conducted a survey of 260 undergraduate students and researchers in Biological Sciences at a research intensive UK university. Responses to Likert scale questions demonstrated increases in confidence and skill with reading the literature between individuals at each career stage, including between postdoctoral researchers and faculty academics. The survey indicated that individuals at different career stages valued different sections of scientific papers, and skill in reading the results section develops slowly over the course of an academic career. Inexperienced readers found the methods and results sections of research papers the most difficult to read, and undervalued the importance of the results section and critical interpretation of data. These data highlight a need for structured support with reading scientific literature at multiple career stages, and for senior academics to be aware that junior colleagues may prioritise their reading differently. We propose a model for the development of literature processing skills, and consider the need for training strategies to help inexperienced readers engage with primary literature, and therefore develop important skills that underpin scientific careers. We also encourage researchers to be mindful of language used when writing papers, and to be more inclusive of diverse audiences when disseminating their work.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.