Read the abstract for the article before reading the article. The abstract is a short one-paragraph summary of the article. It provides a general overview of the topic, contents and arguments of the article. The abstract provides a context for interpreting the article, as well as letting you know if the article addresses your research topic in an interesting way.
Carefully read the introduction of the article. The introduction also summarizes and outlines the main points of the article. The introduction introduces the thesis of the article. Look for phrases such as "The thesis of this article is--," "This article will argue that--" or "The interpretation presented here--." The precise wording depends upon the type of research article. For example, a scientific study is different from a research article in literary criticism. In addition to the thesis, the introduction outlines the major arguments or steps and method used for the article.
Give the article a quick read without becoming bogged down with the details. Thoroughly reading and grasping the content of a research article requires several reading. Reading it quickly the first time gives you a feel and basic understanding for the content of the article. The first reading provides you with the broader picture and scope of the article. Outline or underline the major points and fill in the details the second time through.
Study the conclusion of the article. The conclusion, like the introduction and the abstract, is a summary of the major points discussed in the article. The conclusion of a research article reminds the reader what they have read, as well as drawing important implications and conclusions from what has been argued and discussed.
Critically assess the article. A valuable part of digesting a research article is to critically evaluate the contents. Critical evaluation comes by asking questions, such as: Is the argument persuasive or convincing? Is the data reliable and accurately interpreted? Does the argument overlook vital details or take things for granted?