Hints of higher twist effects in the slope of the proton structure function

We critically analyse the data available on the reduced cross-section in deeply inelastic $e p$ scattering from the H1 collaboration at HERA. We use available data on the longitudinal structure function to deduce the nature of $\d F_2/\d\ln Q^2$ at different $Q^2$ for fixed values of $x$ near $x \sim 10^{-4}$. We present the results in a manner which effectively isolates possible higher twist effects in the structure function $F_2$.