Struggling to make sense of research papers?
I got to the secrets of research papers by reading them with this approach
9 essential steps every researcher must know:
I got to the secrets of research papers by reading them with this approach
9 essential steps every researcher must know:
1. Set a reading purpose
Clarify why you're reading the paper.
Is it assigned to you for a review?
Or relevant to your research?
Your purpose guides your approach.
Clarify why you're reading the paper.
Is it assigned to you for a review?
Or relevant to your research?
Your purpose guides your approach.
2. Skim for the big picture
Read the title, abstract, introduction, and conclusion.
Then, skim the section headings.
Glance at figures and tables.
Get a high-level overview before diving in.
Read the title, abstract, introduction, and conclusion.
Then, skim the section headings.
Glance at figures and tables.
Get a high-level overview before diving in.
3. Read critically
Question everything.
Are the assumptions reasonable?
Are the data compelling?
Is the logic sound?
Don't take the authors' word for it.
Question everything.
Are the assumptions reasonable?
Are the data compelling?
Is the logic sound?
Don't take the authors' word for it.
4. Read creatively
Look for the gems in the rough.
How could you extend or improve the ideas?
What insights can you apply to your own work?
Reading is a dialogue, not a monologue.
Look for the gems in the rough.
How could you extend or improve the ideas?
What insights can you apply to your own work?
Reading is a dialogue, not a monologue.
5. Take strategic notes
Jot down key points, questions, and criticisms.
Put it all in the margins with pointer arrows.
Underline crucial passages.
Practical notes will save you time later.
Jot down key points, questions, and criticisms.
Put it all in the margins with pointer arrows.
Underline crucial passages.
Practical notes will save you time later.
6. Summarize the main idea
After reading, distill the central question.
Write it down into 1-2 sentences.
Sum up the conclusion.
If you can't, you need to reread more carefully.
After reading, distill the central question.
Write it down into 1-2 sentences.
Sum up the conclusion.
If you can't, you need to reread more carefully.
7. Outline the supporting points
Identify the 3-4 key subpoints.
Find ones that support the main idea.
How is the central concept reinforced here?
Crystallize the logical flow and spot any gaps.
Identify the 3-4 key subpoints.
Find ones that support the main idea.
How is the central concept reinforced here?
Crystallize the logical flow and spot any gaps.
8. Compare to related work
How does the paper fit into the broader field?
What's genuinely novel vs. incremental?
Contextualizing the work is critical.
Grasp its influence in your field.
How does the paper fit into the broader field?
What's genuinely novel vs. incremental?
Contextualizing the work is critical.
Grasp its influence in your field.
9. Synthesize your assessment
Combine your critical, creative, and comparative insights.
Judge the paper's strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluate its overall significance.
This is the heart of really digesting the research.
Combine your critical, creative, and comparative insights.
Judge the paper's strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluate its overall significance.
This is the heart of really digesting the research.
Finally, put this synthesis note in your reference manager.
Done reading this one.
On to the next.
If you enjoyed these tips:
1. Follow @acagamic to get one post smarter every day.
2. Repost and like my post to help your friends feel smart, too.
Have a great day.
Done reading this one.
On to the next.
If you enjoyed these tips:
1. Follow @acagamic to get one post smarter every day.
2. Repost and like my post to help your friends feel smart, too.
Have a great day.
Loading suggestions...