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

Summary

This 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.