Mastering Paper Reading: A 3-Step System

Mastering Paper Reading: A 3-Step System

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Selecting Relevant Papers 2.1 Conducting a Literature Search 2.2 Creating a Reading List
3. The Right Reading Technique 3.1 Paper Screening 3.2 Selective Reading
4. Creating an Excerpt System 4.1 Goals of Paper Reading 4.2 Organizing Excerpts
5. Bonus Tip: Reading on Screens

Article:

How to Read Scientific Papers Fast and Effectively

Introduction

As an early career researcher, the task of reading and understanding scientific papers may seem overwhelming. With millions of papers published worldwide each year, it's crucial to have a plan in place to read papers efficiently and extract relevant information. In this article, we will discuss a three-step approach to reading scientific papers that will help You make the most of your time and build knowledge pragmatically.

Selecting Relevant Papers

The first step in reading scientific papers effectively is to select the papers that are most relevant to your work. Recognizing that time is limited, it's essential to prioritize your reading list. Start by conducting a comprehensive literature search and Collect all papers that appear relevant at first glance. Next, read the abstracts and decide which papers make it to your top 30 reading list Based on the abstracts. This step is crucial in systematic literature reviews as well.

The Right Reading Technique

Once you have your reading list, it's time to develop the right reading technique to read papers quickly. Instead of reading every paper from beginning to end, try the paper screening approach. Start by reading the introduction, methods chapter, and conclusion. These sections provide a meta perspective on the paper and offer valuable information such as the research problem, methodology used, main findings, and contributions. If you find the paper sufficiently interesting, you can selectively decide to read additional chapters based on your goals, such as definitions, literature review, theoretical background, discussion, or results.

Creating an Excerpt System

To effectively manage and organize the information you Gather from reading papers, it's essential to Create your own excerpt system. The goal of paper reading is not only to understand the Context, motivation, problem, method, and results of the paper but also to have the contents ready to be cited or paraphrased for your own work. Create an entry in your excerpt document for each goal you have while reading papers. These excerpts can include direct quotes, paraphrases, your thoughts, notes, and interpretations. You can organize your excerpts within your reference management software or create separate tables in a folder structure. Choose a system that works best for your working style and software tools.

Bonus Tip: Reading on Screens

While it may be tempting to read papers on computer screens, research suggests that reading on screens leads to skim reading behavior. Our eyes tend to follow Patterns of jumping from one word to another, skipping large parts of the content. To fully comprehend and retain information, it is recommended to read papers on paper or use a large e-reader like a Kindle or Scribble. These devices mimic the experience of reading on paper and help you focus on the text without skim reading.

In conclusion, reading scientific papers fast and effectively requires a systematic approach. By selecting relevant papers, adopting the right reading technique, and creating an excerpt system, you can optimize your time and build knowledge efficiently. Remember to avoid reading on computer screens and instead opt for paper or e-readers for a more engaging reading experience.

Highlights:

• Learn how to read scientific papers fast and effectively
• Select relevant papers and create a reading list
• Use the right reading technique to save time
• Create an excerpt system for easy information retrieval
• Avoid reading on computer screens for better comprehension

FAQ:

Q: How do I select relevant scientific papers? A: Start by conducting a literature search and collect papers that appear relevant. Read the abstracts and decide which papers make it to your top 30 reading list.

Q: What is the right reading technique for scientific papers? A: The paper screening approach involves reading the introduction, methods chapter, and conclusion. Selectively read additional chapters based on your goals.

Q: How should I organize the information I gather from reading papers? A: Create an excerpt system where you can copy direct quotes, paraphrases, and add your own thoughts. You can organize these excerpts within your reference management software or separate tables in a folder structure.

Q: Should I read scientific papers on computer screens? A: It is recommended to read papers on paper or use a large e-reader to avoid skim reading behavior associated with computer screens.