In today’s academic and professional world, the ability to read, understand, and communicate scientific papers is an essential skill. Yet, many people struggle with the complexity of such literature. The dense language, specialized jargon, and intricate concepts can often feel overwhelming.
It's a problem that extends beyond the lab and classroom. Journalists need to understand research to accurately report findings, ensuring the public receives trustworthy information. Similarly, corporate writers must translate scientific discoveries for media and broader audiences. Decision-makers rely on this knowledge to make informed choices.
Recognizing these challenges, Emilio Alarcón, PhD, an educator at the University of Ottawa and scientist at the Ottawa Heart Institute, teamed up with Jinane El-Hage, a Master's student in biochemistry, to create a solution.
The result: How to Read a Scientific Paper in Biomedical Sciences, one of the first open-access guides aimed at empowering readers with the tools they need to navigate scientific works efficiently.
“Critical thinking and data analysis are foundational to science, but communication is just as important,” Alarcón said. “Clear communication isn’t just about understanding the data—it’s about ensuring your audience comprehends it, too. This is the next step in improving scientific literacy and combating misinformation.”
The guide offers more than just theoretical advice. It provides practical strategies designed to help structure the reading process and improve critical thinking skills and comprehension.
The need for structured reading
“Reading is an art, certainly, but it’s also a skill,” said Alarcón. “Most of us believe we know how to read, but doing so with intention is much more difficult to achieve.”
This challenge is especially prevalent in higher education, where students can feel overwhelmed by academic papers but lack the proper guidance on how to engage with them actively.
The traditional university approach often involves assigning students papers to read and summarize. However, this method does not teach the skills needed to critically analyze and extract key information.
“In reality, humans do not learn that way,” said Alarcón. “True learning comes from actively interacting with the material, questioning assumptions, and connecting ideas. Without a detailed road map, it can be challenging to get to where you want to go.”
How to Read a Scientific Paper in Biomedical Sciences addresses this gap by offering structured guides – road maps – that help students focus on what’s important to maximize their understanding and analysis of the literature.
Tools for every level of learner
One of the standout features of the book is its inclusion of interactive, adaptable tools designed to assist readers at various academic levels and backgrounds.
Some examples include a lexicon for recording unfamiliar terms, a checklist for evaluating readability and quality, a scoring system, and a summary report sheet to help users create a structured overview of what they’re reading.
The flexibility of each tool ensures that learners can adjust to suit their individual learning styles, creating a more personalized approach to enhancing their analyzing and comprehension skills.
“We built these tools so they can be used by anyone, from high school students to doctoral candidates, and even professionals in the field,” said Alarcón. “The aim is to help people at different levels of education or expertise approach academic literature in a way that works for them.”
AI vs. human insight
Another distinctive feature of the book is its comparison of student-generated summaries with summaries produced by ChatGPT, used to illustrate the limitations of AI in capturing nuance and context, and highlighting the essential role of human insight in interpreting science.
“AI is a wonderful tool, but it must never replace human insight,” said Alarcón. “While AI can assist, it is the human ability to engage deeply with science through questioning, interpreting, and contextualizing that truly enhances understanding.”
At its heart, Alarcón said the book is designed to help students develop these skills, empowering them to become more effective communicators.
Addressing barriers to understanding
Alarcón acknowledges that many students face unique challenges when it comes to understanding academic studies.
“I’ve experienced these challenges both as a student and as an instructor,” Alarcón told The Beat.
These challenges can include language barriers, neurodivergence, and cultural differences, all of which can impact comprehension and the ability to interact meaningfully with the text.
However, Alarcón pointed out the focus often shifts toward accommodations, rather than providing students with the foundational skills needed to read and understand papers.
“Without specific training, this process can become overwhelming for many people,” he said. “It’s like giving someone a map without teaching them how to read it. No matter how clear the directions are, they won’t be able to navigate until they know how to read the signs.”
The book’s tools provide clear, structured guidance that helps students with diverse needs work more confidently with scientific texts.
Furthermore, these resources could help make complex research more accessible to an even wider audience, including cardiac patients and others, who may benefit from a clearer understanding of medical and scientific research.
A bilingual, open-access resource for everyone, everywhere
A key feature of this project is its open-access format. Currently available in both English and French, the book is designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial or academic background.
“Coming from a low-income country, I’m acutely aware of how expensive textbooks can be,” Alarcón, who is originally from Santiago, Chile, said. “Some people just can’t afford it, and we have to recognize that reality,” he said.
“With the support of the University of Ottawa, the Berkman Library, and the Ottawa Heart Institute, we ensured that anyone could access this important resource for free.”
The book is available in an accessible format for screen readers, making it accessible to people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired.
Additionally, Alarcón and his team plan to release the book in Spanish and Mandarin, further expanding its global reach.
“We want this book to impact the global community,” said Alarcón. “By providing it as an open-access resource, we’re ensuring that anyone, anywhere, can use it to improve their academic reading and communication skills.”
This is crucial not only for students and scientists, but for journalists, decision-makers, and anyone involved or interested in communicating science, he said.
A formal launch event is planned for later this spring.
“We’re looking to create an interactive environment, like a café-style meeting, where we can discuss the role of scientists and science communicators,” Alarcón said.
Alarcón would like to express his gratitude to Irene Guzman-Soto, PhD, who edited the book, Dania El Khatib, a graphic designer and illustrator who worked on the project, as well as collaborators Bryan Liu and Ryan Tu.
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