For scholars, researchers, and students, reading research papers is like building a tower of knowledge. Each brick represents a piece of information, meticulously examined to ensure seamless integration into the overall structure. Given the density of information, academic reading is always enlightening yet demanding. To improve productivity, we need the right methods and tools.
Smart Start: Sort Through Literature
Sorting through literature is a good start for immersive reading. Keeping the yarn well organized makes weaving easier. Within the "Library" of your BOOX Tablet, you can create diverse bookshelves based on different topics and subtopics, journals they were published in, or the research methods they employ. This helps build a structured framework for your research and lets you focus on a specific topic that you want to learn more about. In addition to categorization, "Library" offers features like List Mode, which is perfect for displaying paper titles that are usually lengthy, and a Search function that helps you quickly locate a specific paper.
Reading Right: Skim or Dive Deep
Not every piece needs to be thoroughly read. Savvy readers prioritize wisely and decide whether to skim or dive deep based on the quality, novelty, and significance. For papers introducing preliminary studies, briefly reviewing the introduction, identifying the "big question", and taking a glance at the conclusion often suffice to grasp the essence. With BOOX NeoReader, you can use Scrolling View for swift PDF browsing, or AI Read to generate a summary in seconds. For seminal papers in your field, NeoReader provides PDF Reflow to adjust the layout of fixed formats so that you can study the paper thoroughly. What's more, there are various tools like Smart Scribe and built-in dictionaries to ensure an uninterrupted workflow.
Take Flexible Notes as You Go
Good readers take good notes. Taking notes as you go allows you to understand complex logic and engage more critically with the text. Our Versatile NeoReader offers great flexibility, enabling you to jot down multiple types of notes. For short questions, comments, and examples, you can create a marquee to zoom in, and then take side notes. When the margin space is insufficient for your thoughts, you can insert a blank page into PDF files for detailed or structured information such as summaries and mindmaps. The pen-to-paper sensation on our tablets, such as the Note Air3 series, recreates the tactile experience of writing on printed documents, promoting better retention.
Connecting All the Dots
As you navigate through multiple papers, you may come across novel concepts that inspire you, conflicting viewpoints from scholars, or emerging trends across various discussions. It is critical to organize these interconnected findings for your writing. To connect all these dots, our NeoReader offers a convenient Link tool. You can connect highlighted text to another page, attach Wikipedia links next to a term, or link a viewpoint with your handwritten notes. A simple tap on the icon takes you straight to the linked content, making it easier to compare information from different sources, and helping you form a more complete picture of an area.
Write Your Own Summary
For papers that are central to your field, taking a moment to summarize can be incredibly beneficial. It allows you to distill the main points and bolster your research. With Split View, you can work with two windows, one for paper, and the other for the notepad, where you can write a five-sentence summary of an experiment or an overview of the background. A hardcore yet highly effective tactic is to rewrite the abstract. You can blackout the original abstract, and write your version. If you want to refresh your mind after prolonged reading, you can insert recordings to add voice memos, enhancing comprehension by engaging both auditory and linguistic processing.
Paper reading needs not only diligence but also the appropriate tools and strategies. Reading with BOOX Tablets, you don't just consume knowledge; you actively engage with it. Stay focused and conquer your reading list with ease. Happy World Book Day!
*The papers used in the pictures of this article are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0).
1. Tatarinov, A. and Yalovik, L. (2020) Ore Forming Systems (Fe, Ti, Ni, Pb, Zn, Noble Metals) of the Transbaikalia Neoproterozoic Greenstone Belts. Geomaterials, 10, 66-90. doi: 10.4236/gm.2020.103005.
2. Wane, D. , Dieng, A. , Niang, C. and Gaye, A. (2023) Northeastern Tropical Atlantic SST and Sahel Rainfall Variability. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 13, 431-454. doi: 10.4236/acs.2023.134024.
3. El-Qassas, R. , Ahmed, S. , Abd-ElSalam, H. and Abu-Donia, A. (2021) Integrating of Remote Sensing and Airborne Magnetic Data to Outline the Geologic Structural Lineaments That Controlled Mineralization Deposits for the Area around Gabal El-Niteishat, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Geomaterials, 11, 1-21. doi: 10.4236/gm.2021.111001.
4. Kotios, A. , Galanos, G. and Poufinas, T. (2018) Assessment of the Effectiveness of Adjustment Programs at the Core of the Greek Economy. Modern Economy, 9, 1548-1591. doi: 10.4236/me.2018.99098.