Speedy note taking
(for the literature review and beyond)
Dr Inger Mewburn
aka @Thesiswhisperer
Director of research training
The Australian National University
Do you have a problem with research ‘sluff’
At your table, discuss the note taking/keeping techniques you currently use.
Note any problems you are experiencing to share with the group.
In this workshop we will:
1) explore how you extract information from texts (and share a few ideas for doing this more effectively).�
2) understand the pre-writing process and the role of 'tiny texts'
3) Learn a few strategies to more effectively organise and use the notes you take in your literature review.
How do you currently take notes?
How fast do you read?
I'm setting the timer for 10 minutes...
Read the article provided and tell me the key findings/ideas.
Read at a comfortable pace, marking it up as you normally would.
This is not a race!
How do you compare?
Calculate your page per minute rate.
Now, swap your pages with the rest of the table and look at how different people mark up text
- Is it easy to understand another person's notes? �
- Should you be able to understand them?
Why should you work electronically?
If you article is electronic, you can search inside it for 'sign-post' language:
Key phrases: “This paper argues that”; “In this paper we explore”; “the main question is”
Verbs that argue: show, argue, proven, challenge, purpose, query, question
Words that modify arguments: may, might, probably, perhaps
Making ‘thesis ready tiny texts’
Diagram it!
A spider diagram is a good way to raise questions about what you are reading...
Note taking matrix method
1. Identify the themes or problems you are looking to find literature about.
2. Write the themes in the left column - you might add more as you read.
3. Create a new column for each paper you read and fill in the key point on that subject
4. Write 'across' the columns (examples on next page)
Example paragraph from the matrix
"We can gain better understanding of problems like attrition if we know why people choose to undertake a PhD in the first place, however many scholars do not pay attention to the reasons why students are motivated to enroll in a PhD. Two notable exceptions are Humbug et al (2009) and Mewburn (2012). Humbug et al noted that different disciplines report very different reasons for beginning a PhD. Mewburn further developed this work in her studies of older students, claiming that gender further complicated the picture of motivation.”
Cornell note-taking template
Verbs are judgmental
If you were taking notes about this presentation instead of writing:
“Taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster”
You could, instead, write:
“Mewburn (2013) argues that taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster”
or, if you disagree:
"Mewburn (2013) asserts that taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster"
Or, even better:
“Mewburn (2013) claims taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster. However, her assertion is based solely on anecdote. "
Disciplines use verbs differently because they reflect the way knowledge is built, shared and understood.
Philosophy: say, suggest, argue, claim, point out, propose
Sociology: argue, suggest, describe, note, analyse, discuss
Biology: describe, find, report, show, suggest, observe
Physics: develop, report, study
Humanities tend to favour discourse act verbs
Science tend to favour research act verbs
Search inside an article you have with you - what sort of verbs come up?
Flexing your thinking muscles
Writing can help you structure thinking. Switching 'registers' is a way to think critically (and creatively!) about your thesis. For example:
“Mewburn (2013) claims taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster. However, her assertion is based solely on anecdote."
... could become:
“Mewburn (2013) argues taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster. Since there is little published research, Mewburn is forced to rely on anecdote, but her ideas are powerful."
Tiny text construction
Use the Cornell template to take notes from the article provided or from an article in your database.
The sentences should contain some verbs, e.g.:
“Mewburn (2013) claims taking effective notes is the key to writing a thesis faster. However, her assertion is based solely on anecdote."
Note taking technologies
Databases like Microsoft One Note, Evernote or Devon Think
A word processor with note storage, like Scrivener.
A reference manager like Zotero, Mendeley, Endnote or Papers2
Or perhaps some PDF mark up software
Or you could share your notes with a cloud based service such as a.nnotate
Find more in the DIRT archive
Resources
Only a small number of books give note taking proper attention. Two exceptions are:
Demystifying dissertation writing
For my tips, look under the ‘getting things done’ section of the Thesis Whisperer