onstant rush to meet deadlines while balancing personal responsibilities often means researchers

deprioritize research reading. Additionally, many researchers, regardless of where they are in
their career, find it challenging to keep up with the overwhelming volume of literature being
produced; consequently they end up reading selective journals or giving articles a cursory run
through. This can prove counterproductive.

Table of Contents
 Key benefits of reading research papers
o 1. Enhances knowledge and fuels scientific curiosity
o 2.Encourages inter-disciplinary opportunities
o 3. Builds on scientific innovations
o 4. Creates a rich repository of relevant references
o 5. Develops critical thinking
o 6.Teaches you how to identify credible information
o 7. Builds professional relationships and stronger networks

Key benefits of reading research papers

It is critical for researchers to develop a habit of reading research papers from the very beginning
of their careers. Take a look at the benefits of reading research articles regularly.

1. Enhances knowledge and fuels scientific curiosity

Research reading is an integral part of research. By embracing a rigorous approach to reading

research papers, academics can add to their existing knowledge and improve their overall
understanding of a subject. Research reading also helps scholars understand previous studies on
their subject and identify questions that remain unanswered. It also fuels a sense of scientific
curiosity, encouraging researchers to delve into or even question ideas that contradict your line
of thought. This can prove useful for researchers trying to identify an interesting and novel
research topic.

2.Encourages inter-disciplinary opportunities

By cultivating an active research reading habit, researchers can also gain insights into the latest
scientific tools and techniques being used in their own and related fields. One of the other
major benefits of reading research papers is that it exposes academics to potential opportunities
and developments across disciplines, which could spark ideas for their own research and open
the door for multiple fruitful inter-disciplinary collaborations.

3. Builds on scientific innovations

Scientific knowledge is constantly evolving and growing. There is a constant cycle of learning
and unlearning that takes place based on emerging technologies and new processes. In fact, a
study of scholarly literature over time forms an archive of scientific innovations, including
developing methodologies, evolving processes, and cutting-edge technologies. A sustained habit
of reading scientific literature helps researchers learn from and build on past work.

4. Creates a rich repository of relevant references

Research reading is imperative for researchers, and one of the key benefits of research reading is
being able to create a library of data. Using keywords to find relevant research papers, critically
reading and analyzing the data, and saving the most useful articles to your reference library can
prove invaluable for researchers. Instead of starting from scratch, having a rich library of
potential references gives those conducting research or writing a manuscript a head-start – one of
the benefits of reading scholarly articles and papers that usually goes unrecognized.

5. Develops critical thinking

Another key benefit of reading research papers is that it helps you develop critical thinking
abilities by creating and strengthening synaptic connections between your brain’s nerve cells and
strengthening neural pathways that already exist.1 This significantly enhances your ability to
retain and use important information and helps you in your own research.

6.Teaches you how to identify credible information

Given the sheer quantum of information available in the public domain, it’s sometimes difficult
to distinguish information that comes from reliable and credible sources. An important benefit of
reading research papers is that you will, over time, be able to discern between what is reliable
and what is not. This ensures you read and engage with trusted scientific articles, which can then
form the basis of your own work and further strengthen your profile as a researcher.

7. Builds professional relationships and stronger networks

The last but one of the most important benefits of reading research papers is that it allows you to
build professional connections with like-minded peers and colleagues. Connect with and actively
discuss ideas with authors of ground-breaking research, which will help you enrich the existing
knowledge but also allow for an exchange of new ideas and opportunities in the field.

We hope the points above reiterate the importance and benefits of reading research papers as a
habit. Reading research papers on different scientific topics gives you a deeper appreciation of
the work of peers, helps build wider perspectives, allows you to see things in new light, and
gives you the confidence to think outside the box. So while research reading may seem daunting,
it’s an integral part of the research process and cannot be ignored. Happy reading!

References

1. Fernyhough E. How reading changes your brain. The Brave Writer, Medium, January 8,
2021. [Accessed on November 12, 2022] Available on https://medium.com/the-brave-
writer/how-reading-changes-your-brain-b00cc7f8eb2c#:~:text=When%20you%20read%