Tag Archives: literature review

Editorial

Using Google Scholar

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Google Scholar is better than the library, and you don’t have to return anything!

When searching for academic journals and scholarly articles I’ve found Google Scholar to be a handy tool. Here’s how I usually go about it:

https://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en

  1. Access Google Scholar: First, I navigate to Google Scholar (scholar.google.com). This specialized search engine is tailored for academic and scholarly research, making it ideal for finding credible and detailed studies.
  2. Use Specific Keywords: I think carefully about the keywords I use. For instance, if I’m looking for research on the ‘extreme male brain theory’ of Autism, I type exactly that into the search bar. Being specific helps in filtering out irrelevant results.
  3. Refine Your Search: Once I have my initial results, I often refine them using the tools provided by Google Scholar. I can filter by year to get the most recent studies, or if I’m looking for foundational research, I might look at older papers.
  4. Look at Citations: One feature I find really useful is the ‘Cited by’ link under each search result. This shows me how many other papers have cited this particular study, which is a good indicator of its influence and relevance in the field.
  5. Accessing the Full Text: Sometimes, the full text of an article is freely available directly through Google Scholar. Other times, I might only see a preview or an abstract. In those cases, I check if I have access through any academic or public library resources. Some articles might require payment, but I try to find free sources first.
  6. Using the Reference List: Just like in any academic journal, the reference list in each paper is incredibly valuable. It leads me to more related research, helping me to broaden my understanding of the topic.
  7. Saving and Organizing Research: Finally, when I find particularly useful articles, I make sure to save them. Google Scholar allows me to create a personal library, where I can save and organize the papers I find most relevant.
Editorial

How to Read Empirical Research Articles

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I ❤️Empirical Journal Articles

In my journey into Autism research, one of the most valuable skills I’ve developed is the ability to read and understand empirical research journals. Let me share with you how to approach these journals, why they’re essential, and where to find more studies.

Empirical Journal Articles May Look Daunting At First Glance, But Once You See The Formula, you will find it easier than understanding your teacher’s homework assignment. It’s a system with a structure that everyone has to abide by. Whats not to love about that?

Start with the Abstract:

I think they should be honest and say this is equivalent to a movie trailer and the only part you see if it is a “pay for pdf” review. However, usually, someone somewhere has uploaded it to the net. Put the title of the journal artcle in Google search, followed by the letters in PDF, and you might find it free to read.

This is a summary of the study. It overviews the research question, methods, findings, and conclusions. It’s a great way to quickly ascertain if the full article will be relevant to your interests.

Understand the Structure.

The structure is very nice.

  • Most empirical articles follow a standard structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion (IMRaD). Familiarizing yourself with this format can help you navigate the article more efficiently.

Read the Introduction Carefully-

This is where the “what if” question — if we do this, what will happen—or “why Question—” why is something this way or that type of question—comes in.

  • This section sets the stage. It includes the background of the study, the research question, and the hypothesis. It’s crucial for understanding the context of the research.

Methods Section:

I never knew there was a career where I could do experiments all day. I missed out.

  • The researchers explain how they conducted the study here. Pay attention to the sample size, variables, and procedures. This will help you assess the study’s reliability and applicability.

Statistical Data:

Take your time to understand the figures, tables, and statistical significance. Don’t worry if you can’t grasp all the statistical details; focus on the trends and overall findings.

Just take a looksie. I know it looks like scary math, but it’s just symbols representing the data to organize it. Non-autistics have a name for everything that Autistics do inherently. Try to be patient.

Discussion and Conclusion:

–basically, the juicy parts are always here.

Here, researchers interpret their findings. They’ll discuss how the results relate to the hypothesis and the broader field, the study’s limitations, and suggestions for future research.

This is where science starts.

Reading these journals is crucial because they allow you to get information directly from the source without the filter of secondary interpretations. It empowers you to form your own understanding based on the most current and rigorous scientific data. This is especially important in fields like Autism research, where new findings can significantly impact how we understand and support the autistic community.

Follow the white rabbit…

You’ll find a references or bibliography section at the end of each journal article. This is a goldmine for further research. If you find an article particularly insightful or interesting, check its references. These are the studies the authors used, and they can lead you to other relevant and valuable research in the field. This way, one article can open the door to a whole network of related research, expanding your understanding exponentially