Introduction
As a junior researcher, I’ve often wondered: What is the best and most efficient way to read research papers? How can you absorb domain knowledge, identify gaps in the literature, and discover areas you can contribute to, without spending hours getting stuck on every paragraph?
If you’re just starting out in academic research, you’ve probably asked yourself the same thing.
When I began my independent research project a year ago, which eventually became my first solo publication in the National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS), I had no idea how to approach academic papers. I would open a PDF, read the abstract, skim the introduction, and then quickly feel overwhelmed by the methods section.
Luckily, I received helpful advice from a PhD student at UIUC, who recommended a short but incredibly insightful article: How to Read a Paper by S. Keshav (2007). Although it was written more than a decade ago, the “three-pass approach” described in that article remains highly relevant and worked extremely well for me.
I believe every student researcher should be aware of this method. Many experienced researchers already follow a similar pattern, even if they do so without realizing it. What makes this approach so useful is that it breaks the reading process into manageable stages, helping you avoid getting overwhelmed while still engaging deeply with the material.
The Three-Pass Approach: A Smarter Way to Read Research Papers
The method recommended in Keshav’s article is called the three-pass approach, and it’s exactly what it sounds like—you read the paper in three rounds, each with a different goal. Instead of reading linearly from start to finish, this strategy allows you to build your understanding gradually and intentionally.
Pass 1: The Bird’s-Eye View
Time: 5–10 minutes
Goal: Get a general sense of the paper and decide whether it’s worth a deeper read.
What to do:
- Read the title, abstract, and introduction carefully.
- Look over section and subsection headings to see how the paper is structured.
- Read the conclusion to understand the main outcomes.
- Glance through the references, and note any papers you recognize.
What you’ll get:
By the end of this pass, you should be able to answer the Five Cs:
- Category: What kind of paper is it (e.g., theoretical, experimental, systems design)?
- Context: What previous work is it building on?
- Correctness: Do the assumptions make sense?
- Contributions: What are the key takeaways?
- Clarity: Is the paper well written?
This is a good stopping point if the paper isn’t directly relevant to your research. You’ve still learned something, but without investing too much time.
Pass 2: The Skim Read
Time: Up to 1 hour
Goal: Understand the paper’s main arguments and evidence—without getting caught up in the fine details.
What to do:
- Read the paper more thoroughly, but skip complex proofs or mathematical derivations for now.
- Pay close attention to figures, charts, and graphs. Check if they are properly labeled and if results are presented clearly.
- Take margin notes and jot down important ideas.
- Mark any unfamiliar references to look up later.
What you’ll get:
At this stage, you should be able to summarize the main idea and explain the supporting arguments to someone else. This is especially useful for papers outside your direct research area, where a high-level understanding is enough.
Pass 3: The Deep Dive
Time: 1 to 5 hours (depending on experience and complexity)
Goal: Gain a complete and critical understanding of the paper’s structure, logic, and impact.
What to do:
- Mentally reconstruct the paper’s process—try to follow the same steps the authors took.
- Challenge each assumption, evaluate each method, and think about alternative approaches.
- Consider how you would present the same material differently.
- Take detailed notes on strengths, weaknesses, and future directions.
What you’ll get:
By the end of the third pass, you should be able to explain the full structure of the paper from memory, identify its most important contributions, and critique its shortcomings. This level of engagement is essential if you’re doing closely related research or writing a paper of your own.
In my own experience, this method has saved me time and frustration. More importantly, it taught me how to read with purpose—whether I’m scanning a paper for background, preparing a literature review, or diving into a technical method I want to apply in my own work.
If you’re just beginning your research journey, I highly recommend giving the three-pass approach a try. It’s a skill that gets better with practice and one that will serve you well throughout your academic career.
— Andrew
CompLing Insights 
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