JOURNAL CLUB MEETING

A journal club is an educational meeting where a group of individuals review published articles to keep abreast with new knowledge, and current research methodologies/ findings.

On the commencement of my master’s degree program at Tennessee State University this year, I have been opportune to attend several journal club meetings with my professors and fellow graduate students. At these meetings, we have discussed several notable articles in ecology, agriculture, and biology. These meetings have helped me become adept at reading research papers objectively, become up to date with new research methodologies and advances in my research area. Based on my experience, I have a few tips to share on how to get the most out of a scientific journal club as a newbie.

• Attend the meetings regularly as it is by interacting regularly with others in your field of research that knowledge is shared.
• Read the article prior to the discussion so you can actively partake in the journal club.
• Do not stay quiet, engage other participants, even if they are your professors or superiors and may have a contrary opinion. However, be polite in your interactions.
• Ask questions to clarify misconceptions you might have.

Have you attended a journal club meeting before? If you have, can you share your experience? If you have not, I recommend that you attend one and these tips would help you maximize your experience.