1. Read the ABSTRACT to get a general idea about the topic, relevance, and the author’s proposed conclusions.
2. (If unfamiliar with the topic) Read the INTRODUCTION
3. Look at the first FIGURE/FIGURE LEGEND and associate METHODS. Understand what was done, decide what it means.
4. Read the portion of the RESULTS section that describes that figure.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4
6. Read the DISCUSSION SECTION