Academic English - Active Reading for Research
Active reading for research purposes requires a learner to compare and contrast different texts on an issue or subject.
Here are some steps and tips to help you...
Note-taking
1) Take notes as you read (Rephrase key points in your own words. Annotate text with diagrams and flow charts).
2) Cover the original text, and write a summary using only your notes.
3) Reread the text and fact check the summary that you wrote.
Each time you read, add to your notes.
Read articles for and against an issue so that you have an idea of all sides of the argument.
Focusing on text-to-self connections
Text-to-self connections are highly personal connections that you make between the text and your own experiences, life or research.
'The research by McArthur (2020) on peptide bonds and synthesis in humans, showed my own 'group think' bias toward the toward animal protein as a nutritional resource'.
Ask yourself...
What is your reaction to this particular text?
What cognitive bias of your own do you notice as you read ?
Does the author have similar or different ideas to you?
What have you learnt from the reading this piece?
Focusing on text-to-text connections
A key element of reviewing and evaluating texts, is being able to compare and contrast the information you discover.
‘Although Brown (2020) states that blue hair is easier to maintain than pink, Black’s 2019 study on hair dye refutes these claims, suggesting instead that blue dye binds more weakly to the hair shafts'.
Ask yourself...
How are the ideas, claims and points in one text similar to other texts you have read?
How are the ideas, claims and points in the text different from other resources?
How do the texts support or refute each other?
Enjoy, and happy reading...
Sarah 👍
June 2, 2020
