Academic papers in journals like SMJ follow a predictable structure: an introduction that states the research question, a theory section that develops hypotheses, a methods section describing data and analysis, results, and a discussion of implications. Knowing this structure lets you navigate quickly — most practitioners can go straight to the introduction and discussion, returning to methods only to judge how much weight the evidence deserves.
Three questions separate careful readers from casual ones. First, what was the sample — which industries, countries, and years? Second, does the design support causal claims, or only associations? Third, do the authors' stated limitations undermine the headline finding? A paper that survives these questions is usually worth factoring into a real decision.