Choosing the right papers to read

With the rapidly increasing number of papers in every field, how does an early career researcher decide which paper to read in detail? From prioritizing one's time to knowing what to focus on, here are some tips to get you going:

1. Start with your research goals:

• What are you trying to learn or achieve? Answering this question can help you search for the right papers to read.
• Are you in the exploration phase or looking for specific answers? If exploring, start with review articles. For specific answers, target research papers or even case studies.

2. Leverage available resources:

• Literature reviews: These papers synthesize existing research on a topic, providing a good starting point and highlighting key papers.
• Citation databases: Use tools like Google Scholar or Scopus to search for papers based on keywords, author names, or references cited in relevant papers. These tools also show citation counts, indicating a paper's impact and potential value.

3. Evaluate individual papers:

• Read the abstract carefully. Does it align with your research goals? Are the methods and findings relevant?
• Assess the journal's reputation and impact factor. Highly regarded journals often publish high-quality research.
• Consider the authors' expertise and affiliations. Are they recognized researchers in your field?
• Look for open access options. This can save you time and money if you don't have access through your institution.

4. Be selective and efficient:

• Don't try to read everything. Focus on the most relevant and impactful papers first as explained above.
• Use skimming and scanning techniques to extract key information quickly. A variety of tools including AI-assisten ones are available to you for helping you to narrow down the papers you wish to read.
• Take notes and organize your findings using tools. Reference management tools can be helpful here. In fact, once you have read an article that interests you, it would be a starting point for looking up references and also articles that cite it, Soon you will have a bibliography of articles that have interested you.
• Set aside focused time for deep reading:  Select a few articles that you will spend undivided time on and make sure you develop a habit of deep reading regularly. This will help you gain deeper insights into the field and set your path towards independent research and writing in the future!

Related Infographic

12 Actionable Tips for choosing the right journal for your paper

Choosing a journal for your manuscript can be quite…

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5. Help is everywhere- so ask for it:

• Discuss your research interests with colleagues, professors, or librarians. Their wisdom and experience can help guide you to the best resources in your field.
• Join online communities or forums related to your field. Others can share valuable resources and experiences. You can also ask for help and share articles that interest you for community feedback and discussion. 

Want to read more on this topic? Here is an interesting write-up for further reading. 

How to read a paper - by Thomas Reilly (substack.com)