Reading a scientific article is confusing when you first start out. You don’t really know what to look for when there’s so much information. Worse, you’re afraid of missing out on something important.
The mistake we ALL make when we start our doctoral studies is to try to swallow up all the information contained in the article. Scoop: it’s impossible, and even more so at the start of your research. So, rather than stubbornly trying to find what you don’t really know what to look for (you feel me?), it’s a good idea to ask yourself one question and one question only: What am I looking for in this article ?
And this simple question has changed everything in the way I read and approach my reading. Today, I have a fine bibliography with incredible papers by authors who have made huge strides in understanding innovation ecosystems, but I now read them with a fresh eye. Now, I no longer take summary notes on articles, but I attack them knowing what I want to find and then I write a dedicated note directly in my research project. By rereading them with a precise goal in mind, I’m much more likely to find what I’m looking for.
No more wasted time!
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