Sunday, June 10, 2007

Art of reading "Research Papers"

5 p.m., Evans Library

It was Friday evening.I got an e-mail from my Prof (research adviser) asking me to let him know by Sunday evening if I have gone through all the research papers I was supposed to.If "YES", we would have a meeting on Mon.This would be my just second meeting with my research adviser.I am still new to "Research".

It's now Sunday evening.But the good thing is that I can reply "YES" to him.

Now, reading 10 research papers in a span of 36 hours isn't an easy task. It's not anything like reading Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code or Watching "Friends"/"The Apprentice".Then you can do it in a non-stop style. This art is all together different. It requires a strategy, strong commitment and above all interest. No doubt I have the interest as "the interest is specifically my research interest". So, one criterion is already met.But unfortunately it's not a sports interest.It has something to do with sapping of mental power and there comes the problem.

We need to commit to a strategy and execute it with concentration.Not an easy task.

For me, studying at home is the best thing.It's your own home.You can study with some soft music on.You can take snacks break or bathroom break anytime you want.It's convenient.It worked out well till now for me. BUT not any more. Research study can't be done at home.Bet me.The cosiness of the home kills your reading concentration and induces sleepiness.Writing/working on computers and reading are two different things.At least for me, I can do writing assignments with music on.It poses no distraction.The cosiness of home doesn't hamper the productivity.But reading research papers and that too for a long period is surely very opposite.It's a daunting task.

So, I chose to do the reading in our Evans Library.You have nice ambiance.Silence.Not the sleep inducing cosiness of home.Yeah, sometimes some beautiful girls do become the cause of distraction :) but then more often you visit library for studying, less distractive they become to your concentration.At least I could almost complete studying my research papers.May be I will have to visit the place more often now till I get an office of own for research.

I should better go trough a few of the remaining ones.cya!