How to read papers fast and MUCH more efficiently - A 3 pass method

Genomics Boot Camp

28 Sept 202309:40

Summary

TLDRThis video introduces the 'Three Pass Method' for reading scientific papers, as outlined by Professor Keshav. The method aims to be efficient and practical, with each pass serving a distinct purpose. The first pass, taking 5-10 minutes, gives a general idea and helps determine relevance. The second pass, around an hour, focuses on grasping content and main results without deep details. The third pass, for papers of high interest, involves a thorough line-by-line reading, which can take several hours. The video encourages downloading and reading the original paper for a more comprehensive understanding and to improve reading efficiency.

Takeaways

📚 The video introduces a method for reading scientific papers efficiently, known as the 'three pass method'.
🎯 The first pass should take 5-10 minutes and involves reading the title, abstract, introduction, section headings, conclusions, and skimming references.
🔍 After the first pass, one should be able to determine the paper's category, context, theoretical basis, correctness, main contributions, and writing quality.
✅ It's acceptable to put down a paper if it's not relevant to your needs, even if it's written by a top expert in the field.
⏱️ The second pass is more time-consuming, taking about an hour, and focuses on understanding the paper's content and main results without getting into too much detail.
📊 Pay special attention to graphs and tables during the second pass, as they often summarize the main results.
📝 The second pass also involves noting references for further reading, especially those that seem important and relevant to your research.
🤔 At the end of the second pass, decide whether to set the paper aside, return to it later, or proceed to the third pass for a thorough understanding.
🚀 The third pass is a detailed, line-by-line reading reserved for papers that are crucial for understanding or are of high interest.
⏳ A thorough reading in the third pass can take anywhere from three to five hours, depending on the complexity of the paper and the reader's experience.
📈 The video recommends downloading and reading the full paper by Professor Keshav, which provides a comprehensive guide on the three pass method and additional tips for literature review.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?
-The main topic discussed in the video is the method of reading scientific papers efficiently using a 'three pass method'.
What is the three pass method for reading research papers?
-The three pass method is a systematic approach to reading papers that involves three distinct stages, each with a different purpose: getting a general idea, grasping the content without details, and understanding the paper in depth.
Why is it not efficient to read a paper from beginning to end?
-Reading a paper from beginning to end can be inefficient because it takes a lot of time, and by the end, you might find out that the paper is not relevant to your needs, thus wasting time.
What are the specific goals of the first pass in reading a paper?
-The first pass, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes, aims to give you a general idea about the paper by reading the title, abstract, introduction, section headings, conclusions, and glancing at the references.
What questions should you be able to answer after the first pass?
-After the first pass, you should be able to answer questions about the category of the paper, its context, the theoretical basis, the correctness of its assumptions, its main contributions, and whether it is well-written.
What is the purpose of the second pass in reading a paper?
-The second pass, which should take about an hour, is meant to let you grasp the paper's content and main results without getting into the details, and to pay particular attention to graphs and tables.
What should you do after the second pass of reading a paper?
-After the second pass, you can decide to set the paper aside, perhaps to return to it later, or go on to the third pass for a thorough understanding of the paper.
What is the purpose of the third pass in reading a paper?
-The third pass is a thorough, line-by-line reading of the paper where you need to understand everything written, identify and challenge every assumption and statement, which is reserved for papers that are crucial to understand deeply.
How much time should be expected to invest in the third pass of reading a paper?
-The third pass requires a significant time investment, typically around three to five hours, depending on the complexity of the paper and the reader's experience.
What is the recommendation for those who want to improve their paper reading skills?
-The recommendation is to download and read the paper by Professor keshow on how to read scientific papers, as it provides a practical and efficient method for reading research papers.
What is the final advice given by the speaker regarding the reading of papers?
-The speaker advises that it's okay to put down a paper if it's not relevant to your needs, even if it's written by a top expert in the field, and to focus on finding what you need.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to the Three Pass Method for Reading Scientific Papers

The speaker introduces the topic of the video, which is about an efficient method for reading scientific papers. They reference a paper by Professor Keshow that outlines a 'three pass method' for reading research papers, which is both practical and efficient. The speaker emphasizes that this method is not about reading the paper from beginning to end but rather about reading it multiple times, each with a different purpose. The first pass is meant to give a general idea of the paper, the second to grasp the content without getting into details, and the third to understand it in depth. The speaker suggests that viewers should read the paper themselves for a more comprehensive understanding and provides a link in the video description for easy access.

05:01

🔍 Detailed Explanation of the Three Pass Method

This paragraph delves deeper into the specifics of the three pass method. The first pass is a quick overview that should take about 5 to 10 minutes and includes reading the title, abstract, introduction, section headings, conclusions, and skimming the references. The goal is to determine the paper's category, context, theoretical basis, correctness of assumptions, main contributions, and overall writing quality. The second pass is more detailed and should take about an hour, focusing on understanding the paper's content and main results without getting into every detail. It involves paying close attention to graphs and tables and considering the paper's references for further reading. The speaker mentions that after the second pass, one might decide to set the paper aside, return to it later, or proceed to the third pass. The third pass is a thorough, line-by-line reading reserved for papers that are deemed essential for a deep understanding. This pass requires careful attention to detail and challenging every assumption and statement, which is time-consuming and may take several hours.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Genomics Boot Camp

Genomics Boot Camp refers to an educational series or event focused on teaching genomics, which is the study of all the genes in an organism. In the context of the video, it is the setting where the topic of reading scientific papers is being discussed. The script mentions 'welcome back to the genomics boot camp,' indicating that the audience is returning to a familiar educational environment.

💡Scientific Paper

A scientific paper is a written document that describes original research results, theories, or new methodologies in a scientific field. The video's theme revolves around how to effectively read and understand these papers. The script discusses a method for reading research papers, emphasizing the importance of this skill in the context of genomics and scientific research.

💡Three Pass Method

The Three Pass Method is a strategy introduced in the video for efficiently reading and comprehending scientific papers. It involves reading a paper three times, each with a different purpose and level of detail. The script explains that this method allows readers to quickly determine the relevance of a paper and decide whether a thorough reading is necessary.

💡Relevance

Relevance, in the context of the video, refers to the applicability and significance of a scientific paper to a researcher's work or interests. The script suggests that the Three Pass Method helps in quickly assessing if a paper is relevant, thus saving time and effort on irrelevant literature.

💡Abstract

An abstract is a brief summary at the beginning of a scientific paper that presents the research's purpose, methodology, results, and conclusions. The script mentions reading the abstract as part of the first pass, indicating its importance in quickly grasping the paper's essence.

💡Introduction

The introduction section of a scientific paper sets the stage for the research by providing background information, stating the problem, and outlining the paper's objectives. The script includes reading the introduction as a step in the first pass, highlighting its role in understanding the context and purpose of the research.

💡Conclusions

Conclusions in a scientific paper summarize the findings and discuss their implications. The script advises reading the conclusions during the first pass to quickly determine if the paper's results are of interest, thus assessing its relevance.

💡References

References are the list of literature cited in a paper, providing the basis for the research and supporting the claims made. The script mentions glancing over the references during the first pass, which can help in identifying familiar works and assessing the paper's credibility.

💡Main Contributions

Main contributions refer to the significant findings, theories, or advancements presented in a scientific paper. The script states that after the first pass, one should be able to identify these contributions, which are crucial for determining the paper's value.

💡Literature Review

A literature review is a comprehensive analysis of existing research on a particular topic. The script implies that the Three Pass Method can be particularly useful for those conducting a literature review, as it allows for an efficient and thorough examination of multiple papers.

💡Assumptions

Assumptions are the presuppositions or conditions taken for granted in a research study. The script mentions challenging every assumption during the third pass of reading, which is crucial for a deep understanding and critical evaluation of the research.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the context of the video pertains to the effectiveness and speed with which one can read and understand scientific papers. The Three Pass Method is presented as an efficient approach to reading, as it streamlines the process and allows for quick relevance assessment.

Highlights

The importance of reading scientific papers efficiently and effectively is emphasized.

The traditional method of reading a paper from beginning to end is not the most efficient approach.

Professor Keshav's paper introduces a three-pass method for reading research papers.

The three-pass method is designed to be more practical and efficient, saving time and ensuring relevance.

The first pass is for a general idea, taking 5-10 minutes and focusing on the title, abstract, introduction, headings, conclusions, and references.

The first pass helps in determining the category, context, theoretical basis, correctness, and writing quality of the paper.

It's acceptable to put down a paper if it's not relevant to your purpose, even if it's written by a top expert.

The second pass takes about an hour and focuses on the paper's content, main results, graphs, tables, and references.

The second pass allows you to understand the paper's content without delving into every detail.

The third pass is for in-depth understanding, taking 3-5 hours, focusing on detailed comprehension and challenging assumptions and statements.

The third pass is recommended for papers that are crucial for understanding or are of high interest.

The three-pass method is designed to reduce time investment and ensure that the papers you read are relevant and valuable.

The paper is highly informative and provides practical advice on how to read scientific papers more efficiently.

The paper suggests that reading the paper twice is sufficient for literature review or when starting a new area of study.

For those deeply involved in a specific topic, the third-pass method is recommended for thorough understanding.

The paper is concise and provides a clear, step-by-step guide on how to read scientific papers effectively.

The paper is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their reading efficiency and understanding of scientific literature.