Taphonomy and Paleoecology - GEOS 417

Once a week we will read a paper and discuss it in class. Four students will be chosen at random to lead the discussion. One student will start the discussion by giving a summary of the paper, and then all three will keep the discussion going and focused (using the list of questions below).

A GUIDE TO READING THE PAPERS
Reading scientific journal articles critically and meaningfully requires practice and some acquired skills. This is a list of some of my suggestions:

• Read the abstract and conclusions first, and then read the whole thing.
• Keep a dictionary handy, and look up word you don’t know immediately
• Underline key concepts in the paper, and write notes in the margins as you go along.
• Examine tables and diagrams carefully….they are there to help the reader understand the paper.
• When reading your references consider the following:
  

a) What is the major theme of the paper?
b) What questions are addressed in the article?
c) What Hypotheses are being tested?
d) How are the tests conducted, and what type of data is used?
e) Do You consider the interpretations valid? And why?
f) What is the significance of the paper?
g) Did you find the paper interesting, or did it suck?
h) Did the figures in the paper clarify things or make things more confusing?

• You may find it helpful to actually write down the answers to the questions listed above.

 

Note: if you miss a discussion (excused absence) you may make up some of the missed points by writing a 2-3 page paper using the above questions.