Journal-club reading worksheet
Prepare a two-page discussion brief that separates a paper's findings, limitations and interpretation.
This is a blank educational worksheet for use with published sources. It is not a clinical decision tool. Do not include patient identifiers or personal medical information.
Two pages. For best results use portrait orientation, US Letter paper, default scale, and turn off browser headers and footers. You can also choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. Write notes on your printed copy; this page does not collect your answers.
Journal-club reading worksheet
01 / Map the paper
Use the paper and its supplementary material. Record where each answer comes from; write 'not reported' when appropriate.
Paper details
Title, authors, journal, date, DOI/link, paper type, and any correction or update checked.
Research question
What question did the authors set out to answer? Was it specified in advance?
Design and comparison
Study design, setting, intervention/exposure or method, and comparison group if any.
Participants, samples or data
Selection, sample size, inclusion/exclusion criteria and follow-up, as relevant.
Outcomes and analysis
Primary outcome or question, measurement, time point and analysis approach. Note unfamiliar methods.
Journal-club reading worksheet
02 / Examine and discuss
Keep numerical results and the authors' interpretation distinct. Use the spaces below to prepare discussion questions.
Main finding and its location
Record the result, units and denominator where relevant, plus the exact table, figure or page.
Uncertainty and missing information
Record the uncertainty measures reported. Which information would help interpret the result?
Limitations and context
Selection, measurement, missing data, comparisons, generalizability, funding and disclosed conflicts.
Claim versus support
Choose one conclusion. What supports it, and what does this study leave unresolved?
Discussion and follow-up
Two questions for the group; one claim or source to verify after the session.