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The definition of “reading” in Graduate School. Dr. Nicole Benedek. Learn to Find Papers Yourself. As demonstrated, the UT library system has a lot of stuff available! Remember, not everything is online. Sometimes, you have to physically go to the library.
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The definition of “reading” in Graduate School Dr. Nicole Benedek
Learn to Find Papers Yourself • As demonstrated, the UT library system has a lot of stuff available! • Remember, not everything is online. Sometimes, you have to physically go to the library. • Document delivery/interlibrary services can locate and retrieve items from other universities. If UT doesn’t have what you need, use one of these services.
Organization is Critical • Use a searchable archive system to organize papers that you find • Endnote/Papers • Start with your first paper. • Endnote available at Campus Computer Store for $79. • Papers available for online download for $79 (Google search “papers for mac”).
What You Need Affects How You Read • What can you learn from a paper? • Data point/number • New techniques/methods • New science (not everything is in textbooks!) • What other researchers in the field have done/are doing (so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel) • Inspiration! New ideas come through reading.
What You Need Affects How You Read • Knowledge from textbooks is usually correct, but with papers, you must read critically. • Read actively • Ask questions while you read. • Try to derive equations yourself. • Papers can contain mistakes/math errors. Check everything.
Reading Expectations • Begin the transition to independence now. • Use the bibliography from the first paper your supervisor gives you to locate additional papers for reading. • Be prepared to read a lot, to read deeply, critically, and often. • Think ahead. If you have to present a paper in two weeks, start reading now. Chances are, you will have to read other papers in order to accurately explain this one. Sometimes, you have to chase information down.