Psychological journals are a significant source of information, with many articles providing some of the most recent knowledge and research in the field of psychology. Reading and understanding psychological journal articles is an essential skill for psychology students. Below, we look at how the structure of psychology journal articles and how students can better interpret and analyse them.
Written by Grant Longstaff. Published 18 March 2025.
Why psychology journal articles are important
Psychology journals, and their articles, are crucial to the discipline as they provide reliable, peer reviewed insights into both established and emerging trends in psychological science.
Dr Adam Jowett, our Director of Psychology, explains further. “Psychology is a science, and our understanding of it is based on empirical evidence – evidence gathered through experimentation and observation – rather than opinion or speculation. Journal articles play a crucial role in disseminating research findings that have been peer reviewed by experts as a quality check.”
By reading journal articles, psychology students are able to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills. Staying up to date with research ensures students engage with the latest evidence and studies, rather than outdated or anecdotal information.
They can also be a good source for the latest news and developments in the field and provide credible sources for both students and professionals to reference in their own writing and research.
The structure of a journal article
Unlike other forms of writing students may be familiar with, journal articles follow a standardised structure. Dr Jowett breaks down this structure below.
- Abstract – This is a summary of the study. It will cover the purpose of the study, the research methods used, and the key findings and conclusions of the study.
- Introduction – This will include some background information on the study, the research question and the rationale for the study.
- Methods – This will detail how the study was conducted, including information such as the participants, materials and procedures used. This can often be the most detailed section of an article, meaning it can be effectively replicated and tested by other researchers.
- Results – This will detail what the study found and can often include statistical analyses.
- Discussion – This section is where the researchers will discuss their interpretation of the results, including its implications, limitations and suggestions for future research.
- References – This is where you’ll find a comprehensive list of sources cited in the article.
Understanding this structure helps students efficiently locate the most relevant information.
Tips for reading journal articles
Identify the key elements
Dr Jowett points out there are a number of key elements to focus on when reading a journal and suggests students pay attention to:
- The research question. What was the study trying to find out?
- The methods used. How was the research conducted?
- The findings. What did the study discover?
- The conclusions. What do the results mean in context?
The role of statistics in interpreting psychological research
Psychology research can be either quantitative or qualitative. For quantitative studies, a basic understanding of statistics is essential. Students on a psychology course will learn how to interpret things like; Significance levels (often known as p-values) which can indicate whether or not results are statistically significant, effect sizes, which show the strength of relationships between variables, and confidence intervals which can establish a range within which estimates are likely to fall.
Critical reading and evaluation
As a psychology student it’s important to remember no study is perfect. Even if peer reviewed, there are several things you should consider when evaluating journal articles. Consider the study limitations and interrogate the research, for example, the sample size, methodology and cultural context of the paper.
Reflect on alternative interpretations. A study’s discussion section often presents possible explanations, and different theories may offer competing explanations for the findings. Ask whether the study’s findings are generalisable. Who participated? Where was the study conducted? Is it applicable to other populations?
Looking beyond a single study is also important. One study can be insightful, but it’s important to take into account the broader body of evidence. You should check the introduction for summaries of existing research, consider when the research was published and whether more recent studies have been published in the same area. If possible you should also compare findings across multiple studies. Are they consistent?
Students should also look for systematic reviews (a summary of studies) and meta-analyses (statistically combines the results of studies) as these can provide a more comprehensive overview of a research topic and provide you with greater insight.
Finally, it’s important to try and overcome the challenges of scientific jargon. Academic writing can, at times, be dense. To make it more accessible try discussing the articles with your peers, look up any unfamiliar terms and even use AI tools to simplify complex sentences into more simplified language.
It’s natural to feel intimidated by journal articles, particularly if you’re only just starting your studies. However, with practice and by implementing some of the above you’ll find your own way of reading and analysing studies and interpreting their results.
If you’re looking to enhance your employability through the study of the mind and human behaviour, consider our MSc in Psychology and enrol today.
