Such a huge topic, Vicky! Especially at the very beginning (and even before the actual start) of my PhD, I found myself going crazy about THE BEST note-taking system. I also experimented with the tablet and pen, but I always return to handwriting. Right now, I have a single notebook for any notes related to my PhD and a smaller one for daily task lists. Works fine so far.
I don't add notes to books or papers. Actually, for reading papers, I use my tablet and do highlights and have a system for marking things related to "question, evidence & conclusions".
I started a common place book for notes related to research papers but it did not really do the trick for me. Still need to figure out the best way of note taking for literature review and paper writing...
Oooh I like the idea of ‘question, evidence and solutions’ - I might try it!
The one notebook is the best for me as well right now and I keep changing - I used to think that because I’m deep into the PhD I should have found one method by now, but I guess as we develop, our note-taking methods develop as well!
It relieves me a bit knowing “that you are still evolving and adapting your technique, too” ☺️
Yeah, with the highlighting, I saw it in a YT video once. You basically underline the actual questions that the paper aims to answer (I also add a “?” To the side), then you use “•” next to a highlight section that is evidence for answering the question and “-“ for concluding highlighted sections.
Yeah I think we always evolve and change, the PhD is a constant learning process. I always feel like there’s a huge gap I’m learning about - I’m not afraid anymore, it’s just how it is - that’s what I think 🙂
Such a huge topic, Vicky! Especially at the very beginning (and even before the actual start) of my PhD, I found myself going crazy about THE BEST note-taking system. I also experimented with the tablet and pen, but I always return to handwriting. Right now, I have a single notebook for any notes related to my PhD and a smaller one for daily task lists. Works fine so far.
I don't add notes to books or papers. Actually, for reading papers, I use my tablet and do highlights and have a system for marking things related to "question, evidence & conclusions".
I started a common place book for notes related to research papers but it did not really do the trick for me. Still need to figure out the best way of note taking for literature review and paper writing...
Hi Fabienne and thank you for your comment!
Oooh I like the idea of ‘question, evidence and solutions’ - I might try it!
The one notebook is the best for me as well right now and I keep changing - I used to think that because I’m deep into the PhD I should have found one method by now, but I guess as we develop, our note-taking methods develop as well!
It relieves me a bit knowing “that you are still evolving and adapting your technique, too” ☺️
Yeah, with the highlighting, I saw it in a YT video once. You basically underline the actual questions that the paper aims to answer (I also add a “?” To the side), then you use “•” next to a highlight section that is evidence for answering the question and “-“ for concluding highlighted sections.
Thank you for sharing the method, Fabienne!
Yeah I think we always evolve and change, the PhD is a constant learning process. I always feel like there’s a huge gap I’m learning about - I’m not afraid anymore, it’s just how it is - that’s what I think 🙂
Your note-taking skills are exemplary, Vicky , and I am very happy how you have influenced Maggie and Nikolas. Thanks a million!
Thank youuuu! I love them so much and they’re so much BETTER than me! ✨⭐️