This is an important process in trying to judge the quality of the data. In molecular biology, where information is rapidly changing, the date may be all-important. With policy issues, the date is less important than the quality of thought. Bear in mind that there is a definite lag period between when the research gets done, when the article gets written and when it gets published . In addition to the publication date, many journals list the date when the article was received , and the date when the article was accepted .
Some articles have a brief list of key words .
Read the abstract once fast looking for key words. Read the abstract slowly until it makes sense. The introduction is often the easiest part of an article to read. In some cases, it is also the most informative - not so much in terms of presenting new information, but in consolidating background information. Some authors will also present the punch line of their research in a way that is easier to understand than the way it is presented in the abstract.