How to read a research paper

Here are some initial guidelines for how to read a paper:

Read critically : Reading a research paper must be a critical process. You should not assume that the authors are always correct. Instead, be suspicious.

Read creatively: Reading creatively involves harder, more positive thinking.

Make notes as you read the paper: Many people cover the margins of their copies of papers with notes. Use whatever style you prefer. If you have questions or criticisms, write them down so you do not forget them.
Underline key points the author make. Mark the data that is most important or that appears questionable.

After the first read-through, try to summarize the paper in one or two sentences.

If you can succinctly describe a paper, you have probably recognized the question the authors started with with and the answer they provide.

If possible, compare the paper to other works.

Your one page review should include the following:

1.a one or two sentence summary of the paper.

2.a deeper, more extensive outline of the main points of the paper, including for example assumptions made, arguments presented, data analyzed, and conclusions drawn.

3.any limitations or extensions you see for the ideas in the paper.

4.your opinion of the paper; primarily, the quality of the ideas and its potential impact.

reference:http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~michaelm/postscripts/ReadPaper.pdf