Library Service Blog

Spotlight on: Taking notes when reading

If you're working on an assignment or dissertation, chances are you'll have a large volume of reading to tackle.

One strategy you can use to speed up the reading process is to look out for connections between your sources - similarities or shared characteristics that can help you to start recognising trends in the literature. For example, you might find a useful article that investigates your topic using interviews with participants - you could look for other examples of qualitative research to explore whether this is a common approach or trend in the research. Similarly, you might be interested in how the phenomenon you are researching affects different age groups - choose one, such as young adults, and add this to your literature search to find other related articles.

This process is called synthesis and is a key aspect of critical reading. It enables you to spot trends in the research and back up your arguments using a wide range of research. It can also speed up the reading process - by spotting potential trends, you are getting yourself into 'hunt mode' and focusing on a particular aspect of each article, rather than getting lost in the detail. Here's another example of how this works:

For more advice on how to read effectively, check out our online Skill Guide, or book a 1-1 appointment with a Librarian.