Reading Papers: A Cheat’s Method for the Busy Academic
Reading academic publications can suck – but you cannot avoid it. Today, we chat methods to maximise your engagement with the literature.
Staying up-to-date with the literature and consistently reading academic papers (articles, publications, books, etc.) is non-negotiable in academia. To be perfectly honest, I hate reading—it can be tedious and time-consuming, but it is an essential discipline that all academics must develop. Whether you’re a PhD student or a seasoned postdoc, diving into scholarly articles not only sharpens your intellect but also helps in developing your own writing style and understanding of complex concepts. I force myself to engage in this necessary practice, and so should you. It is essential for academics to aim for reading at least five papers a week to broaden their horizons and stay ahead in their fields. Note: that number is made up. Basically, I am just trying to say you need to be engaging in the literature. You may only need to read three papers a week to stay on top of your area of study, or you may need to read twenty. As my favourite saying goes, “How long is a piece of string?” i.e., how many papers you need to read per week is impossible to define, but you must be engaging in the practice.
I’ll also level with you—academics are not good writers by nature. We are not explicitly taught what makes a good paper, and almost none of us are trained authors; however, almost all academics are expected to publish their work in this format. This means that there are a lot—and I mean a huge amount—of bad publications out there. This is ever more true in the “new world” where people are turning to AI to write for them. Unfortunately, this means that you will be reading bad papers frequently.
1. Strategic Reading: Start with the Abstract and Conclusions
Time is a precious commodity in academia. To utilize it efficiently, adopt a non-linear approach to reading research papers. Begin by reading the abstract to grasp the core idea of the study, then skip to the conclusions to understand the outcomes and significance of the research. This initial assessment will help you determine whether the paper holds enough relevance or merit to warrant a thorough read. If it doesn’t meet your criteria, consider it still a paper read—counting even the abandoned papers as read is another cheat code for getting your numbers up. This strategy is not about cutting corners but about maximizing the return on your time investment by focusing on papers that truly enhance your knowledge and contribute to your research goals.
2. Dive Deeper Only If Warranted
Once you've established that a paper is of interest and potentially valuable, commit to reading it more thoroughly. However, don't wade through every section immediately. Start with the introduction to understand the hypothesis and the discussion to see the interpretation of the results. Temporarily skip the methods section; this part can often be dense and packed with detail that might not be necessary for your initial understanding. Only circle back to the methods if the data and results are crucial to your own research or if they spark further questions. This approach allows you to efficiently grasp the study's broader narrative without getting bogged down prematurely in the details.
3. The Art of Re-Reading
Understanding complex academic writing often requires more than a superficial skim. It’s common not to fully grasp a paper on the first read—this is a normal part of the academic process. If you find yourself puzzled, take a step back. Perhaps take a walk or switch to a different task, and then return with a refreshed perspective. A second or even third read can provide new insights or clarify points you may have initially missed. Patience and persistence in re-reading can unravel complicated texts and deepen your comprehension substantially.
Embracing Broad and Cross-Disciplinary Reading
In conclusion, the imperative to read—and read broadly—cannot be overstated in academia. Sticking solely to literature within your narrow field of study limits your perspective and stifles creativity. The modern academic landscape thrives on interdisciplinary knowledge and innovation. By stepping beyond your comfort zone and engaging with literature from other disciplines, you open yourself up to novel ideas, methodologies, and collaborations that could prove revolutionary in your own research.
Remember, the aim of reading strategically isn't just to stay informed but to continually challenge and expand your intellectual boundaries. Keep pushing, keep reading, and let every paper sculpt your path to becoming a more informed, insightful, and inventive scholar.
