Here are three dividend-paying stocks that warrant closer examination.Dividend stocks can be a smart way to generate steady income, especially in uncertain markets. However, not all dividend payers are created equal. A recent study from Ned Davis Research and Hartford Funds found that companies able to grow their dividends over time have historically delivered higher total returns with less volatility than those that merely held steady or slashed their payouts.With that in mind, let's take a closer look at ...