Too Many Papers? How to Read Critically and Get Organised

Ever downloaded a paper, highlighted half of it, then forgotten why you saved it?

In this episode of How to PhD, Arun and Julia share practical ways to read critically, organise your literature and make your reading useful when it’s time to write. We explore how to question a paper’s methods and conclusions, recognise its limitations and identify what it contributes to your own research.

From reading papers in three passes to writing meaningful notes and creating a simple tagging system, we discuss techniques to help you understand, remember and find what matters. We also explain how connecting papers can help you spot disagreements, emerging themes and potential research gaps.

Whether you’re starting your PhD or already facing an overflowing PDF collection, this episode will help you take control of your literature.