Capture the reference and the claim separately

Start each note with the full reference and a link or file location. Then record the question the source addresses, its central claim and the evidence behind it. Keep your interpretation separate from the author's words.

If you copy a quotation, mark it as a quotation immediately and record the page number. Do not rely on remembering later which sentence was yours.

Ask what the method allows you to say

Note who or what was studied, how evidence was gathered and what limits the conclusion. Avoid treating every source as though it answers the same question. A useful comparison can begin with different definitions or methods, not merely different results.

Build a theme note across sources

Create a theme page with one question, the sources that address it and the main point of comparison. An original planning example might group research by how it defines study engagement.

Write a sentence explaining why the distinction matters for your own question. This makes the notes useful for analysis rather than leaving them as isolated summaries.

Turn the note into a paragraph plan

State the point you want to make, identify the supporting evidence and explain its limits. Add the connection to the dissertation question. If the paragraph only repeats what each author said, return to the comparison.

You can acknowledge disagreement without forcing a winner. Sometimes the useful conclusion is that different methods or contexts explain why findings differ.

Check the record before drafting

Verify quotations, page numbers and bibliographic details against the source. Check that the claim you attribute is actually present and that you have not lost an important qualification.

Use a reference manager if it helps, but retain responsibility for accuracy. Notes should make it easier to write honestly and clearly, not create an appearance of reading that has not happened.