How to Use AI on a Research Article (Step‑by‑Step)

Using AI to Understand Research Articles Step‑by‑Step

Research papers are central to pharmacy and life‑science education, but many students struggle with the volume and complexity of the literature they are expected to read. AI tools can help you break down a paper into manageable parts—overview, key terms, methods, results, and critical appraisal—if you use them in a structured way.

Below is a step‑by‑step workflow you can follow for almost any article.

Step 1 – Get a simple overview of the article

Objective:
Quickly understand what the study was about and why it was done.

When to use:

• When you open a new article for an assignment, project, or journal club.
• When you feel overwhelmed by the abstract.

Detailed prompt:

“I am a pharmacy student trying to understand this research article.
Please provide a simple overview in 3–5 bullet points covering:

• The main research question or objective
• The type of study in very simple terms (e.g. ‘they gave Drug X to patients with Y and measured Z’)
• The general idea of what they did
• The general idea of what they found (without full statistics).

Here is the abstract:
[paste abstract]”

Why this helps:
This prompt gives you a “map” of the paper before you read in depth. Surveys show that students often use AI to obtain initial summaries or simplified explanations of academic content.

Step 2 – Clarify key terms and jargon

Objective:
Ensure you understand the terminology used in the article.

When to use:

• When you encounter unfamiliar terms, acronyms, or statistical language.
• Before you present or write about the paper.

Detailed prompt:

“From the following research article text, identify and explain the key scientific, medical, or statistical terms that a pharmacy or life‑science student should understand.

For each term, provide:

• A clear, simple definition
• A short example or context from pharmacy/clinical practice if possible.

Focus only on terms that are important for understanding the study.

Text:
[paste abstract or relevant sections]”

Why this helps:
Clarifying terminology reduces confusion and makes the rest of the reading more meaningful. It also helps you build a personal glossary for your subject.

Step 3 – Understand the methods in simple language

Objective:
Translate a technical methods section into plain, process‑oriented language.

When to use:

• When preparing for viva or journal club presentations.
• When methods sections feel too technical or statistical.

Detailed prompt:

“Explain the methods section of this study as if you are teaching a 3rd‑year pharmacy student.

In your explanation, clearly describe:

• The type of study design (e.g. randomised controlled trial, observational study, in‑vitro experiment, survey)
• The population or samples used (who or what was studied)
• The main intervention or procedures
• The primary outcomes or measurements

Avoid advanced statistical jargon and focus on what was actually done in practical terms.

Text:
[paste methods section]”

Why this helps:
Methods often determine the strength and limitations of a study, but they are also the hardest part for many students. A plain‑language explanation allows you to then go back and interpret the original text with more confidence.

Step 4 – Extract key results and conclusion

Objective:
Identify the main findings without drowning in numbers.

When to use:

• After reading the results and conclusion but still feeling unsure what the “headline” is.
• When preparing slides or summary notes.

Detailed prompt:

“From this research article, summarise the key results and main conclusion in clear bullet points.

Please include:

• What was measured or compared
• What changed or what differences were observed (in simple terms)
• The direction and approximate size of the effect (e.g. ‘Drug X reduced blood pressure more than Drug Y’)
• The main conclusion of the authors in 2–3 sentences.

Avoid detailed statistical values unless they are crucial.

Text:
[paste results + conclusion sections]”

Why this helps:
AI can help you pick out the core message from dense results sections, which supports quicker comprehension before you look at detailed tables and figures.

Step 5 – Identify strengths and limitations

Objective:
Develop basic critical appraisal skills.

When to use:

• For journal clubs, seminars, or assignments that require critical review.
• When you want to discuss the paper with supervisors or peers.

Detailed prompt:

“Based on the following research article, identify 3 major strengths and 3 major limitations of the study, explained in a way that a pharmacy student can understand.

For each point, briefly explain why it is a strength or limitation (e.g. sample size, study design, bias, generalisability).

Text:
[paste full article or key sections]”

Why this helps:
Critical reading is a key expectation in higher education, but many students are unsure where to start. This prompt guides your thinking and provides examples of what counts as strengths and weaknesses.

Step 6 – Connect the article to your syllabus and practice

Objective:
Translate research into something meaningful for your exams and future career.

When to use:

• After understanding the article’s content.
• When preparing for presentations or writing the “implications” section of assignments.

Detailed prompt:

“Explain how the findings of this article are relevant for:

1. A pharmacy student learning this subject

2. Real‑world pharmacy or clinical practice

Provide 3–5 practical takeaways that link the research to:

• Patient care
• Drug use or safety
• Clinical or community pharmacy practice
• Or pharmaceutical development, as appropriate.

Text:
[paste article text]”

Why this helps:
Understanding “so what?” is essential. Students and practitioners benefit from seeing how a paper affects real decisions or knowledge.

Best practices and warnings for using AI with research articles

• Always read at least the abstract and conclusion yourself; AI support should complement, not replace, your reading.​
• Never copy AI‑generated text directly into academic assignments without rewriting, understanding, and following your institution’s rules.
• For critical decisions, clinical topics, or sensitive information, always verify using trusted sources and senior guidance.