Thread by @Artifexx

The first time I did a literature review, it took me months.

Now i can do it in a week.

How?

I spent 500+ hours refining a system for my notes. Here's is the end result:
👇

#AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter #ScienceTwitter

1. Get one tool.

I use @obsdmd, as an "academic operating system".
It contains everything: My notes, PDFs, annotations, mind maps, writing.

Don't get stuck in the past with MS Word.

https://twitter.com/Artifexx/status/1605931421192830976

@obsdmd 2. Create a simple structure for your notes. Simplicity will determine how much you use it.

"Don't make me think" is the core principle here.

Here's is a system I have been using for 100s of notes – effortlessly.

It relies on 4 types of notes:

@obsdmd 3. Read a paper, make a SOURCE NOTE.

► One PDF = One "Source note"

► Add a summary or a "quoatable" (a sentence mentioning this paper, that you could use as is)

► Write down core contributions

► BUT: Don't put the "facts" in here. They will go into "Collection Notes".

@obsdmd 📝 Example: Source Note

• Contains a summary
• Contains a quotable (something I can directly drop into a piece of writing)
• Can contain figures
• Short & succinct
• Contains the PDF with key highlights

@obsdmd 4. Atomic bits of information go into COLLECTION NOTES

► Always add a link to the original paper (i.e. not the review you read it in)

► Quickly access the original source and catch up on it, even the PDF.

► Be succinct

► Split large notes into multiple.

@obsdmd 📝 Example: Collection Note

• Collection of atomic "facts" or "claims"
• Link to the original note - allows me to double check
• Very succinct short statements.
• Cites original source, not mention, even if I haven't read it yet. (e.g. "Hutchinson 1959 in Connell 1964")

@obsdmd 5. Questions and Ideas go into THINKING NOTES

► All (absurd) ideas, questions, suggestions go here.

► Birthplace of "synthesis" as multiple sources will naturally come together in these notes.

► Don't "think so much" here, creativity is spontaneous. Jot. Jot. Jot.

@obsdmd 📝 Example: Question note

• Questions AND ideas
• Note simple questions, that will resolve by more reading
• Be critical and ask "what if..."
• Link Sources 1️⃣ and Collections 2️⃣ to start understanding.

@obsdmd 6. Gather Collections and Ideas to start an OUTLINE NOTE

► Use Collection facts as "lego stones" for writing

► Questions and Ideas are "writing prompts".

► Write Outline notes as you would publish in a journal

@obsdmd 📝 Example: Outline Note

• Based on questions (3️⃣) and facts (2️⃣)
• Uses only primary sources (1️⃣)
• Aims at "publication grade", readable text
• References can be extracted automatically by Obsidian

@obsdmd This process is a RECIPE for academic writing. 🥘

The more often you "cook it", the easier and more effortless it becomes. 👨‍🍳

Practice, to be fast:
"Chop your knowledge up – cook it around a question – serve in an outline – repeat"

@obsdmd Summary

► 1 PDF = 1 SOURCE note (contains summaries)
► Facts from papers go as blocks into COLLECTION NOTES
► Fill THINKING NOTES with questions and ideas as you go
► Use collections and thinking notes to create OUTLINE NOTES

► Use @obsdmd to glue it all together.

@obsdmd Play around, create your own method.

I put 500+ hours into mine.
If you want all my learnings, join on Jan, 28th.

⚡️ A 2 hour workshop + starter kit + 1on1 support

My first time, so I'm looking for feedback and offering it very cheap.

buff.ly/3H0hrMA