Scientific research reading is a complex endeavor that requires researchers to be able to choose an appropriate topic, create a project structure, select a study methodology, evaluate collected data, and write a comprehensive manuscript. All of this necessitates a knowledge of paper reviews and academic reports, as well as training and participation in the research process. One way to develop this knowledge is by inculcating regular research reading habits.
The importance of research reading
Scholars require a set of very specific skills to navigate the often daunting task of writing a thesis or a research paper. Most researchers will acquire these skills over time – with experience, focused training, and most importantly by reading scientific articles in their field of research. Reading scientific journals and papers associated with their area of research helps academics develop a wider understanding of the subject and strengthen their ability to conduct a thorough scientific study.
Research reading is central to the scientific research process and the basis of skill development. Regardless of the research sources and methods you use, reading free scientific articles enables you to generate new ideas and become a more independent and creative researcher. Clearly, research reading is a practice that should not only be carried out during your doctoral journey but also throughout your research career. However, many academics and doctoral students do not take time to actively find and read scientific literature on a regular basis.
7 steps to make research reading a daily habit
Readers are not created overnight. Years of consistency and a genuine desire to learn new things are the two factors that shape our reading habits. This is something that develops gradually as you push yourself to read about topics outside your area of expertise. It takes time, constant effort and practice.
Here are some simple strategies you can adopt to make it easy to read scientific articles and incorporate research reading into your daily routine.
1. Create a reading list of relevant journals
Put together a comprehensive list of journals that regularly publish research in your field to kick-start your research reading. Be sure to include journals that publish new analysis or share details of experimental methods apart from those that publish primary research findings. Subscribe to online alerts so that you are informed of new reports as soon as they become available. This will ensure that you don’t miss out on the latest developments in your areas of interest. Finally, reassess your journal list regularly to account for any new journals that have been recently introduced and remove those that are phased out or not being published anymore.
2. Set a goal and schedule time for undisturbed reading
If you want to develop an appreciation and passion for scientific research, set a goal for yourself (it could be reading a set number of pages daily) to read free scientific articles in your chosen field. A great way to achieve your research reading goals is also setting aside dedicated time to read; this could be in the early mornings or even while travelling to and back from work.
3. Start with easy-to-read scientific articles beyond your discipline
Apart from only reading articles on your subject, mix it up by reading reports and articles on related research to broaden your knowledge. Reading scientific articles across fields can help you understand the scientific discovery process, develop critical reasoning skills, and empower you to think differently and outside the box. This lets you appreciate the variety and novelty in previously published science and can also help you come up with new research ideas, theories, and stories.
4. Actively read scientific articles and make notes where relevant
Researchers often end up passively reading scientific articles without absorbing the information provided, which could lead to a loss of genuine interest in reading. It is important to make an effort to develop the habit of actively reading scientific articles by highlighting key data, making notes, and critically thinking about the information provided.
5. Follow a chronological order for research reading
When researching about a new topic, consider reading existing literature in chronological order. This will give you an idea of how the scientific conversation developed over time, how different terms, concepts, and methods evolved, and even the names of leading researchers working on the topic.
6. Engage in intellectual conversations
In order to maintain an avid interest in research reading, actively engage with what you read and discuss scientific articles with your co-workers, and where possible, look to interact with the author to ask questions. You can also compare your own interpretations to those of your colleagues. This exchange of ideas enables you to gain a better understanding of scientific articles and helps you retain the information gleaned from them, which can be a motivating factor to keep reading.
7. Track your literature and reading
Use a reference manager to organize your literature and keep track of your reading. You can add papers and reports that you have read and store a list of the literature you want to read in a “Papers to read” folder, and you can further optimize this based on the topic. Researchers can also use Excel sheets or Word documents to keep notes on what they’ve read and the main findings from each paper. This will make it easy to refer to and retrieve data when you begin to write your own research manuscript.
Rather than reading scientific articles only when applying for funding, writing research proposals, analyzing data, and writing papers, research reading should become a continuous process of absorbing knowledge. Reading scientific literature and persuasive writing are inextricably linked because one cannot exist without the other.
Researching and reading scientific literature on a regular basis is essential for demystifying any topic of interest because it allows you to discuss complex and challenging issues with others, persuade and be persuaded, and most importantly enrich writing and learning in general.
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