Now that you've found your sources, it's time for the real work to begin: reading the content, analyzing the information, synthesizing material and formulating your paper. Here are a few tips to help you along:
- Time -- Dedicate more time than you think it will take to read each article.
- Vocabulary- Take time to look up words and acronyms you don't know.
- Annotate - Write your thoughts while reading -- summarize sections, ask questions either for clarification or points to discuss, connections to other texts. This will help when you go to write your paper.
- Tables and Graphs - If you learn best via visuals, then dive in. If you learn best by reading, you might want to skim these.
Additional sources
Ten Simple Rules to Reading a Scientific Paper PLoS
How to Read and Understand a Scientific Paper Dr. Jennifer Raff
Anatomy of a Scholarly Source NSCU Libraries
Close Read of a Scholarly Source Dr. Cary Moscovitz
