The logic of the research article: A critical guide on reading science more effectively

Reading scientific papers is an integral part of any university degree programme. Yet, academic writing is a specific communication genre that can be quite daunting for the uninitiated student and novice researcher. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the typical logic of the scientific article. Notwithstanding a variety of disciplinary conventions, there are specific moves that characterise the different parts of a paper. These moves include making an argument for the research question (what and why), describing the research methods (how), reporting on the research findings (what), and developing the argument for future research and practice (so what). By elaborating on the different moves, this chapter provides a model for the process of reading scientific papers and to situate a scientific article in the broader context of scientific conversations and debates. In so doing, students should be able to read science more effectively.