How to Read a Paper Efficiently (By Prof. Pete Carr)

Summary

In this video, Professor Pete Carr from the University of Minnesota shares his approach to efficiently reading scientific papers. He suggests a two-phase process: first, quickly surveying the paper to determine its relevance by examining the title, abstract, conclusions, and key figures, and then deciding if a deeper dive into the introduction, results, and experimental sections is needed. Carr emphasizes the importance of taking notes for future reference and highlights how this method helps students and researchers save time and stay productive in graduate school and scientific research.

Takeaways

• 😀 Don't read a scientific paper from start to finish; use a more efficient strategy.
• 😀 Begin by surveying the paper to determine if it's worth your time to read in detail.
• 😀 Start with the title and keywords; if they don't interest you, stop there.
• 😀 The abstract is crucial for an overview, but you shouldn't stop there.
• 😀 Skip intermediate sections (introduction, results, discussion) initially; focus on conclusions first.
• 😀 If the conclusions seem relevant, then dive deeper into the tables, figures, and captions.
• 😀 The introduction provides essential background and explains why the study was conducted.
• 😀 The results and discussion sections are the heart of the paper and where you’ll spend most of your time.
• 😀 After reading, take notes on the paper to help in the future, particularly when writing your own papers.
• 😀 Keep your notes in a system (e.g., index cards) for easy reference, rather than writing on the PDF itself.
• 😀 Remember the saying: 'The faintest writing is better than the best memory'—keep track of your insights and notes for future use.

Q & A

Why should students avoid reading a scientific paper from start to finish in order?

Students should avoid reading a scientific paper in order because it is an inefficient way to understand the paper. The more effective approach is to first survey the paper by focusing on key sections to quickly determine if it's relevant to their work.

What is the first step in effectively reading a scientific paper?

The first step is to survey the paper. This includes quickly reviewing the title, keywords, and abstract to decide if the paper is worth investing more time in.

Why is the abstract of a scientific paper so important?

The abstract provides a concise summary of the entire paper, making it the most important section for getting acquainted with the paper and determining if it’s worth further reading.

What is the role of conclusions in a scientific paper?

The conclusions summarize the findings of the study and help determine if the paper is relevant to the reader’s work. If the conclusions do not interest the reader, it's best to stop reading further.

What is the next step after reading the conclusions in a paper?

The next step is to look at the tables, figures, and captions. This step helps quickly identify the main findings and whether they justify a deeper dive into the paper.

What should a reader focus on when they decide to delve deeper into a paper?

Once a reader decides to read in depth, they should start with the introduction to gain essential background information and understand why the authors conducted the study.

Which section of a paper should be considered the 'heart' of the article, and why?

The results and discussion section is considered the 'heart' of the paper because it contains the primary findings and interpretations, which are crucial for understanding the study.

When should a reader focus on the experimental section of a paper?

The experimental section should only be examined in detail if the paper is extremely relevant to the reader’s work, as it provides in-depth information about the methods used in the study.

What is the benefit of taking notes after reading a scientific paper?

Taking notes helps with future research by keeping track of key points and useful references. These notes can be invaluable when writing a manuscript or revisiting papers later.

What is a good system for organizing notes taken from scientific papers?

It’s best to use a system that keeps notes readily accessible, such as an index card system. This allows easy referencing and quick access when needed, unlike writing notes directly on a PDF.