Reading and interpreting scientific journals.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of reading and interpreting scientific journals, specifically in the context of replicating data from graphs in academic papers for an undergraduate engineering project. The focus is on locating and understanding references to data points that are not directly available in the cited sources.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster expresses difficulty in finding data points referenced in a journal article needed for a project.
  • One participant humorously suggests that sharing citations would be necessary to receive help.
  • The original poster provides links to the papers they are referencing, specifically mentioning the need to recreate figure 2B.
  • Another participant points out that the original poster has cited the wrong source for the data, clarifying that the correct reference is to a different paper published in 1991.
  • The original poster later acknowledges the assistance and confirms they found the correct article.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion shows a progression from confusion to resolution, with the original poster initially struggling to find the correct source but ultimately agreeing with the clarification provided by another participant.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of accurate citations and the potential for confusion when referencing multiple papers. There may be assumptions about the accessibility of data points and the clarity of journal references that are not explicitly stated.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and researchers in engineering or related fields who are learning to navigate scientific literature and replicate data from academic papers.

Mdhiggenz
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Homework Statement



Hey guys,

I'm working on an undergraduate engineering project which requires us to read a paper and replicate certain graphs using matlab.

While reading the journal I hit a slump where one of the graphs stated that the data points were on a different paper.

I searched for that paper, and could not find the data points.

I know they are subtly hidden, but I'm not sure how to sniff them out?

Thanks



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
What is this, the Psychic Friends Hotline? If you share the citations of the papers, you might get some help. Otherwise, only a crystal ball will get you anywhere.
 
It looks like you've got the wrong source journal paper.

Fig. 2B in the NAS paper references Watras et al., Journal of Neuroscience (1991).

The second paper you have cited is not that paper, and was published in 1998 after the first paper. The second paper, however, references Watras (1991).
 
I appreciate the help steam I found the correct article.
 

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