How am I Reading Research Paper?
Basically I summarized the approach of the following four. I kept what
I liked and I let go what I did not.
- Thoughts
on Reading Research Papers
- How to
Read a Scientific Research Paper--
- How
to Read a Research Paper
- How
to Read an Engineering Research Paper
This is what I have so far (I am sure this is going to change)
Before reading
How did I come to know of the paper?
- Professor
- Cited paper - (In this case which paper (or other resource) is it
being cited from?)
- Friends
- Scanning Research (Journals, conference or even idle Googling)
- Reread (a lot of time I may have just skimmed a paper but
later come back to read it in details. If the second reading is not
done in one session then I will consider it as reading a new paper)
Why am I reading the paper?
- Looking at similar research work
- To understand the theme of a conference or research issues
- Gain background information
- Details of a concept or technique
- Critical reading
Reading the Paper
Iteration 1 is
mandatory for all readings
Read introduction, conclusion, abstract (if it is not clear move on)
and references. Blog down in my
own words one or at most two sentences on the following:
- What
problem the authors are addressing?
- Why the problem is important?
- What the
authors solution is?
- What their solution contributes to the area?
- How
the authors demonstrate/prove that their solutions works and that it
improves
on other solutions in some way(s)?
- Identify the paper's connection to other papers I have read
- How is the work similar to my research agenda?
Also make a list of terms that was
not clear to me.
Spend some time getting the meaning
of the unfamiliar terms from other sources.
Iteration 2 is mandatory for purpose 3 (background information)
- Read the entire paper in sequence with special attention to
figures and charts etc.
- Write down the summary of the background information that I was
seeking. If I am reading it for some other purpose then write down the
major points of the paper in a 250
word summary.
Iteration 3 is mandatory for purpose 4 and 5 (details / critics)
Read the paper with a focus on details of the proof/technique that I
need detailed understanding.
If it is a critical reading
- Did the authors do what they said they were going to do?
- Do their results make sense?
- Are their methods sound?
- What assumptions are they making?