Reading and Note-taking

I have a terrible problem when it comes to reading secondary material: I read far too much of a book and take too many notes. I write everything I can down 'just in case'. However, although this is my natural inclination I have had to change for the PhD reading as there is simply too much to be done, and too little time. Here are some tips - for me, but hopefully can be used by anyone!

• Start with the intro and conclusion. If you need to read some of the filling, do, but only after reading these chapters first. Often they will have most of what you need.
• What are you looking for? + The author's theoretical/philosophical/methodological bias and the strengths and weaknesses they have, comparing to your own and the argument you are wishing to convey. + The author's arguments. + The aim of the work. + The author's references: this will often point to their bias' but also will give you more reading lit. + The author's conclusion.
• Always be critical and open-minded about the literature, it may surprise you.
• If it is 'periphery reading' (not directly related or secondary lit) don't spend hours taking notes or feel guilty that you are slacking because you haven't written a mini-version of it in your own fair hand. Instead, if you need to read some of the filling skim through the intro, if it is looking relevant and exciting then settle-down and write away. More notes the better. Lots and lots of lovely notes!! BUT if it is inly a bit relevant, put the pen down and just read it. Miss whole paragraphs. Get the gist according to the criteria above: argument, theoretical direction, main points and findings/observations.. then write down your impression *at the end*. This will mean it is concise and also help you to read in a more efficient, informed way. You may even skip the paper-notes altogether and write the abstract and your thoughts straight into your reference manager (endnote for me). As you can have themed groups when you come to write the chapter/lit review it will be there waiting, and you can get the book out if you feel you need to and read it more slowly then - when you KNOW it will be helpful.
• If it is a BIG report/book that you have slogged your way through and written gazillions of notes you probably won't remember how great they are when you come back to use them in six months time. So write a synopsis and a few choice quotes that summarise the brilliance of the report and your thoughts on it, and put this on top of your notes in your file. Sounds obvious but sometimes I am so enthusiastic I just assume I will be bound to remember it... and I don't; I just feel dread at having to go back to it!

That's it for now. Mainly: keep it short and sweet; intro and concl first, look for the author's arguements and theoretical direction, question how the article relates to your ideas, discard.

x J