Veterinary professionals have the opportunity to leverage learning in our various environments daily. One category of learning that is often overlooked but can provide a wealth of increased knowledge centers on published research and how these findings can be utilized in clinical settings. Almost all vaccines, medications, topicals, techniques, and more have been brought into use in the veterinary profession from the efforts of research across the globe. Yet, for many, attempting to read a scientific or scholarly research article can be overwhelming and confusing. By taking some time to explore how to bridge this divide and conquer any fear, veterinary team members can leverage learning by leaps and bounds.
As with any technical training, learning often takes place in a stepwise fashion—such as how to place a catheter, assess a patient, or obtain laboratory specimens. The same method is also an effective way to delve into research comprehension. It is challenging to learn a new skill by just reading from the beginning to the end; it can be much more effective to train, attempt, redirect, retry, practice, and plan.
Before reviewing specific tips to consider when reading a research study, it can be helpful to understand the anatomy of these publications. Most, if not all, scientific research publications will include the following core aspects of content:
- Publication information: Author names, institutional affiliations, and the title of the research publication
- Abstract: Typically a concise summary, including the topic, hypothesis, methodology, results, and conclusion
- Introduction and/or literature review: Provides necessary context on the research topic and typically describes what is known, what is not yet known, and why it is important to find out, as well as the hypothesis to be tested to or research questions to be explored to fill the knowledge gap
- Methodology: Describes the methods used to collect and analyze the data for the purpose of testing the hypothesis or exploring the research question
- Results: Presents the aggregated data (adding together or grouping of the raw data), often using charts, images, or tables
- Discussion: Analysis of the results and what the investigators think it means
- Conclusion: Sometimes combined with the discussion and outlining the study’s contribution to knowledge, the limitations of the study, and new questions raised by the study that could warrant further research on a related topic
- References: A list of citations for the prior research referenced, which provides information and opportunities for further exploration of the topic
With a baseline understanding of the overall setup of most research studies, there are several methods that can help even the weariest readers navigate this area of learning. The most important step is the first that one takes into this journey of discovery. For a list of additional resources on how to read and apply research, see TABLE 1.
Tip 1: Choose wisely and choose an initial topic you want to explore
Not all research is created equally. If you choose topics and studies relevant to your interests, you will likely be more drawn into understanding the content. You will also typically have more background knowledge to build upon. Look for research in reputable journals or those that have a positive track record of publishing quality research. Do not be afraid to ask other veterinary professionals for recommendations or reach out to those in your interest area.
Tip 2: Break down the content
Research papers are usually structured and outlined like a scientific story. As previously noted, they will have an introduction/literature review, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion. They will also have references through which you can learn more about some of the drivers of the research. It can be helpful to approach reading a study, especially those that are more complex or longer in length, by breaking it down into its sections.
Tip 3: Befriend the abstract
The abstract in some cases is like a mini trailer for the entire paper. If prepared appropriately, the abstract should summarize the main findings in a concise way. Always read this first to see if the paper is worth your time and effort in delving into the topic further.
Tip 4: Skim the content
It is not necessary to read every word initially. Skim or review the introduction and conclusion to learn more about the research question and the main findings. After this is complete, you can increase your attention to the methods and results sections, where the more specific details of the study content are defined.
Tip 5: Highlight and annotate
Take your own pen and highlighter to the paper and highlight passages of interest, key terms, and areas that you have questions about. Add your thoughts and questions in the margins so that if you are reviewing this with other professionals, you are able to succinctly explore these questions or clarifications with others.
Tip 6: Digest the visuals
Most scientific research will include figures, graphs, and tables. These can all be your friend because in many cases, these can be more digestible than text content, or at the very least they can also help to clarify some of the text content and allow readers to more fully understand content through the visual pathways to learning.
Tip 7: Do not be afraid to ask for support
In many cases (and not just in medical research), several individuals could read content and come up with various and additional questions. Do not be afraid to reach out to a study’s corresponding author or others and explore questions related to your topic of interest or to potentially understand research that has been shared that is relevant to you in some way.
Tip 8: Consider your own research questions and contributions
In human medicine, registered nurses have led and contributed to numerous studies related to topics that are relevant to their day-to-day activities. Increasingly, veterinary nurses/technicians are leading and authoring more research studies in veterinary medicine (see the CASE EXAMPLE sidebar). From clinical studies and investigations into caregiver support, there are infinite opportunities to advance your skills, increase your critical thinking and analysis abilities, and make a difference for the animals and caregivers that we support on a daily basis.
This research poster (FIGURE A) about the project illustrates several of the aspects of research content outlined above. It has led to published research, additional opportunities, and the ripple effect for other studies across the globe that have cited this work.
1Nettifee JA, Munana KR, Griffith EH. Evaluation of the impacts of epilepsy in dogs on their caregivers. JAAHA. 2017;53(3):143-149. doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6537
Figure A. The author led the study outlined in this research poster.