H) a Social Science Journal Article

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the key concepts, sections, and reading strategies described in the lecture notes on reading social science journal articles.

Academic journal article

A peer‑reviewed scholarly paper published in a journal that presents original research and is evaluated by other experts before publication.

Peer review

A process where experts in the field assess the quality, rigor, and validity of a manuscript before it is published.

Abstract

One paragraph that summarizes the entire article, outlining the study’s purpose and findings.

Introduction

Section that introduces the topic and explains what the article contributes to existing knowledge.

Literature review

Discussion of previous work on the topic, identifying gaps and relating the current study to the literature; states hypotheses.

Methods and data

Description of how the study was conducted, including participants, procedures, instruments, variables, and data analysis.

Results

Section that presents what the author found, often with tables and graphs and statistical language.

Discussion/Conclusion

Interprets findings, explains their meaning, relates them to the larger context, notes limitations, and suggests future research; states whether hypotheses were supported.

References

List of all sources cited in the article.

Title

A concise statement of the theoretical issues investigated in the article.

Hypotheses

Predictions or educated expectations that the study tests.

Variables

Quantities or attributes that are measured or observed in a study.

Participants/Sample

The people or units studied, described by how they were selected and their characteristics.

Tables and figures

Visual representations of data used to present results clearly.

Plain English discussion

Explaining the meaning of results in accessible language, linking findings to the bigger picture.

Structural reading

A top‑down reading focused on the article’s overall structure and main ideas before deep reading.

Close reading

A careful, detailed engagement with the text, often summarizing each paragraph and evaluating the evidence.

Reading strategy

A plan to decide what to skim, what to read closely, and what to focus on based on your purpose.

Don’t waste time

Advice to skim non‑essential details and concentrate on central ideas and findings.

Abstract vs. Introduction

Abstract provides a brief overview; the introduction sets up the topic, significance, and research questions.

Statistical language

Formal numerical reporting used in presenting results (e.g., p-values, coefficients, significance).