Reading and Analyzing Research Papers

Objective: Read a research paper and identify its contributions and limitations. Summarize the paper's contributions and limitations clearly, succinctly, and articulately. You can return to your analysis later to quickly refresh your memory about what the paper was about.

Reading: What to Look For

While reading a research paper, look for (and mark) the following key things:

In addition, think about any limitations you see to their approach. For example, is it too specific (doesn't handle enough different cases)?

After reading the paper, you'll summarize your findings in an analysis. Look at the content of the analysis below to help guide you in what to look for when reading a paper.

Analysis Content

Your analysis should contain the following information. Clearly label the information in your analysis.

Statement of the Problem/Goals

Technical Approach

In a few sentences in your own words, what is the key insight of this group's approach to tackling the stated problem? What is their overall approach/strategy to solving the problem?

Discussion/Critique

Submission

Post your analysis on the Sakai forum, as a response to the appropriate topic for the paper.