How to read/analyze/organize papers the right way?

[juserulo]

Hello everyone. I am new to GradCafe as I will be an upcoming graduate student in the Fall 2019. I got into a summer research internship this summer, and I want to make the most out of it. 

I will be working with two students. They sent me a thesis and a few papers to read about their work, motivation, and experiment. 

• What is the best and most effective way to read papers? In undergrad, I feel as if it is very different.
• How do you guys analyze papers/thesis? What should I be looking for? 
• What software do you use to sort/cite what you read online? 
• Any other tips for a newbie?

Thank you!

Edited May 7, 2018 by Juan Sebastian
Needed to add one more thing

[rising_star]

Some potentially relevant past discussions:

There are more if you search. It all comes down to a matter of personal preference though.

[emma0120]

You should start by reading the abstract. Then,  skim the introduction and flip through the article to look at the figures. You should  try to identify the most prominent one or two figures, and you have to make sure You understand what's going on in it.