How to read a paper

2007/07/20 by Srinivasan Keshav · 3 voices · 4 citations
Computer Science · #Software Engineering Techniques and Practices

paper · doi:10.1145/1273445.1273458

openalex publication_date 2007/07/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21

Abstract

Researchers spend a great deal of time reading research papers. However, this skill is rarely taught, leading to much wasted effort. This article outlines a practical and efficient three-pass method for reading research papers. I also describe how to use this method to do a literature survey.

Cited by

• Scim: Intelligent Skimming Support for Scientific Papers
• Towards an Insightful Computer Security Seminar
• Optimisation of agricultural logistics: A systematic review of modelling techniques and economic potentials
• The Diversity of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Marine Pollution: A Systematic Literature Review

Discussions

• How to read a paper: doi.org/10.1145/1273... How to read loads of papers: www.bmj.com/about-bmj/re... [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
• e.g.: Keshav's "3-pass approach" is all about increasingly large commitments to decide about further and deeper engagement with a paper. I'm not advocating for replacing the authors' abstract, but sur [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
• ref: doi.org/10.1145/1273... [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

Related

• How to Read a Research Compendium
• How and why to read (and write and publish) academic research
• How and why to read (and write and publish) academic research
• How to Write a Literature Review Paper?
• Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review