Effective researching and reading for assignments
Reading is an important way to gain information and will underpin much of your academic study including researching and writing assignments, revising for exams and following up on information taught in lectures.
Most academic reading should be motivated by the need to find and understand information and develop ideas and arguments relevant around your subject.
WHAT IS IT? Researching and reading for academic study is different from reading for leisure. When reading a novel or magazine for example you would read it from cover to cover. However, academic reading is a more selective process. Generally, you will only read the chapters or pages that are relevant to the subject you are researching. By reading effectively you will learn to question and survey the text you are reading to gain a better understanding of your subject. By improving your skills, you can reduce unnecessary research time and enable you to read in a more focused manner.
WHAT TO DO FIRST Consider how much information is needed, the amount of time you have available and what you already know about the topic. This will help you set realistic goals of what you can accomplish within a given time. It is also helpful to approach the research and reading by first developing a basic understanding of the topic before studying it in depth. For example, you could start by referring to your lecture notes and websites which offer generic information on the topic before moving on to more in-depth articles and text about the subject. This links nicely with essay planning and gives you the start you need for the structure of the work.
SOME TOP TIPS FOR READING EFFECTIVELY:
- Consider your module reading list which will provide a good starting point for reading materials relevant to your course. Reading lists usually include a mixture of both essential and recommended reading.
- Go beyond your reading list by referring to other author’s work and who they have sourced and discussed, to find additional reading materials to help expand your subject knowledge.
- Be selective about what you read and remember you can’t read everything. Don’t spend time reading in detail without first checking how relevant the text is. You can do this by:
- checking the table of contents, chapter headings, abstracts and summaries for relevance to the topic. This will help you assess the material so you can decide if it contains the information you need
- scanning through the introduction and/or preface to get a general feel for the text. Look over the material quickly for key words, headings and illustrations. You can also get an idea of what the text is about by reading the first and last sentence of each paragraph
- Read critically in a more detailed and in-depth way. You will need to analyse, question and evaluate the content of what you are reading. Ask yourself:
Who is the author/source?
Are they credible?
What is the main argument?
What evidence does the author use to support the argument?
Do you agree with the author, if so why?/why not?
Where would the information fit within the assignment?
- Make notes to help you remember key points. Always make a note of where you got the information by recording author and date of publication. Your notes will also prove useful when writing future assignments and revising for exams.
- Read in a comfortable environment which is free of distractions as this will help improve your concentration. For example, turn off your mobile phone. Additionally, taking regular breaks and studying for shorter periods of time helps you to focus on the text more effectively. Take notes from the reading and record where the information comes from. Keep your assignment brief available at all times so you can refer to it and ensure you remain focussed on answering the question.
If you are struggling with any of the aspects discussed above, please contact us at Academic Futures for help. We can guide you to ‘work smarter, not harder’.
Some students benefit from using an effective reading strategy such SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recall and Review). This is a useful technique that can help you focus your reading – see table below:
| Survey | Once you have a list look over all your reading materials with a critical approach. Start by skimming through the text (as outlined above) to get a general idea of what it is about and whether it is useful to helping you answer the question. |
| Question | Ask yourself can this text help you. For example does it give you any useful information that you can use?; are the authors relevant and ethical?; is it relevant to today or is it historically relevant? By continuing to ask questions it will help you to stay focused on your subject. |
| Read | Make a more careful and detailed reading of the relevant aspects of your chosen text. Remain focused on your reason for reading each text. Make notes of any key points and remember to balance this with others’ ideas. Always note where your information comes from |
| Recall | During your breaks put the text and your notes to one side and try to recall the information you have read. Talk about it out loud or with a friend and question some of your previously conceived ideas. Active learning is the best way to remember your information. |
| Review | Always re-read the text to check your understanding and clarify any points you were uncertain about. Re-check your notes for accuracy. Remember to make a note of where the information came from. |
This is just one of many techniques we can help you to utilise if you engage with Academic Futures. Please contact us to help you explore your needs further. We can help you to ‘work smarter, not harder’.
Effective researching and reading for assignments
Reading is an important way to gain information and will underpin much of your academic study including researching and writing assignments, revising for exams and following up on information taught in lectures.
Most academic reading should be motivated by the need to find and understand information and develop ideas and arguments relevant around your subject.
WHAT IS IT? Researching and reading for academic study is different from reading for leisure. When reading a novel or magazine for example you would read it from cover to cover. However, academic reading is a more selective process. Generally, you will only read the chapters or pages that are relevant to the subject you are researching. By reading effectively you will learn to question and survey the text you are reading to gain a better understanding of your subject. By improving your skills, you can reduce unnecessary research time and enable you to read in a more focused manner.
WHAT TO DO FIRST Consider how much information is needed, the amount of time you have available and what you already know about the topic. This will help you set realistic goals of what you can accomplish within a given time. It is also helpful to approach the research and reading by first developing a basic understanding of the topic before studying it in depth. For example, you could start by referring to your lecture notes and websites which offer generic information on the topic before moving on to more in-depth articles and text about the subject. This links nicely with essay planning and gives you the start you need for the structure of the work.
SOME TOP TIPS FOR READING EFFECTIVELY:
- Consider your module reading list which will provide a good starting point for reading materials relevant to your course. Reading lists usually include a mixture of both essential and recommended reading.
- Go beyond your reading list by referring to other author’s work and who they have sourced and discussed, to find additional reading materials to help expand your subject knowledge.
- Be selective about what you read and remember you can’t read everything. Don’t spend time reading in detail without first checking how relevant the text is. You can do this by:
- checking the table of contents, chapter headings, abstracts and summaries for relevance to the topic. This will help you assess the material so you can decide if it contains the information you need
- scanning through the introduction and/or preface to get a general feel for the text. Look over the material quickly for key words, headings and illustrations. You can also get an idea of what the text is about by reading the first and last sentence of each paragraph
- Read critically in a more detailed and in-depth way. You will need to analyse, question and evaluate the content of what you are reading. Ask yourself:
Who is the author/source?
Are they credible?
What is the main argument?
What evidence does the author use to support the argument?
Do you agree with the author, if so why?/why not?
Where would the information fit within the assignment?
- Make notes to help you remember key points. Always make a note of where you got the information by recording author and date of publication. Your notes will also prove useful when writing future assignments and revising for exams.
- Read in a comfortable environment which is free of distractions as this will help improve your concentration. For example, turn off your mobile phone. Additionally, taking regular breaks and studying for shorter periods of time helps you to focus on the text more effectively. Take notes from the reading and record where the information comes from. Keep your assignment brief available at all times so you can refer to it and ensure you remain focussed on answering the question.
If you are struggling with any of the aspects discussed above, please contact us at Academic Futures for help. We can guide you to ‘work smarter, not harder’.
Some students benefit from using an effective reading strategy such SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recall and Review). This is a useful technique that can help you focus your reading – see table below:
| Survey | Once you have a list look over all your reading materials with a critical approach. Start by skimming through the text (as outlined above) to get a general idea of what it is about and whether it is useful to helping you answer the question. |
| Question | Ask yourself can this text help you. For example does it give you any useful information that you can use?; are the authors relevant and ethical?; is it relevant to today or is it historically relevant? By continuing to ask questions it will help you to stay focused on your subject. |
| Read | Make a more careful and detailed reading of the relevant aspects of your chosen text. Remain focused on your reason for reading each text. Make notes of any key points and remember to balance this with others’ ideas. Always note where your information comes from |
| Recall | During your breaks put the text and your notes to one side and try to recall the information you have read. Talk about it out loud or with a friend and question some of your previously conceived ideas. Active learning is the best way to remember your information. |
| Review | Always re-read the text to check your understanding and clarify any points you were uncertain about. Re-check your notes for accuracy. Remember to make a note of where the information came from. |
This is just one of many techniques we can help you to utilise if you engage with Academic Futures. Please contact us to help you explore your needs further. We can help you to ‘work smarter, not harder’.
Key Services we can offer you:
Learn how to manage your workload, take effective notes, and improve your academic writing.
Develop strategies to plan assignments, avoid procrastination, and balance study with other commitments.
Gain confidence in delivering academic presentations and defending your research.
Ensure your assignments and theses are polished and meet academic standards.
Learn what lecturers look for in assignments and how to approach higher education successfully.
Assistance in adapting to university culture, overcoming culture shock, and feeling at home in your new environment.
Guidance on structuring essays, referencing correctly, and improving clarity in writing.
Enhance your ability to analyse sources, construct strong arguments, and engage in independent learning.
Ensure your assignments and theses are polished and meet academic standards.
Contact Us
Contact us for further information on these services. All our tutors have had lengthy careers in HE as lecturers, teaching in the UK and abroad and our administrative staff will be happy to give you the relevant prices for the courses available.
Fill in Form