If you're an academic/research associate, this way please!

[Biochemystery]

I need some advice. Been given a temporary contract to write publications for departmental head who will soon retire. Secondary results that should be published but he never got round to. So I will be doing literature searches, data analysis and writing the publications for him. One day a week on site, rest home office.

How do you organise papers etc? Obviously I need to read loads of stuff, but don't want to be hauling it back and forth each week. Is iPad a viable option for reading, highlighting and annotating papers? They didn't exist when I last worked and it was printed copies all the way. Would I need a special app?
What about making notes? Is there an app to (hand) write notes, reorder pages etc. I tend to think better on paper than typing in word. I was never a fan of reading off a computer screen, but I do read books on my iPad now rather than paper.

How is research done these days?

Have a look at reference management software like RefEorks Endnote, Mendelay etc. You can save your references to them and.

You university may have a preferred one (some are paid for, some are free). Have a look at your university library website to see if they have a section for researchers. It may be helpful to have a chat with a librarian to get them to explain how to use it.

I am a lowly research assistant but I like to have 2 screens, the ipad for reading and the laptop for writing. I do highlight papers online but for 'really good bits' I write down the quote or make a note about it in an actual notebook with the page no. by it.

Although I am (relatively) a youth I like to lug lots of paper around with me and a variety of different coloured pens and highlighters.

Referencing software is great for longer pieces of work but can be quite faffy to start off with so for short stuff I prefer to do it by hand.

I hope you didn't take offence! My job title is associate because I'm a temporary outsider. If they given me a permanent post i can dreamI'd be an assistant.
It's not actually a uni, so no library. I have been given a laptop so I can use specific programs (endnote) but the iPad would be mine.
Do you just use iBooks then Camomila?

I use EndNote to organise literature and it helps when writing as it organises the references as I write. I much preferred paper when I started but slowly got used to using screens. Bought an ipad and never used it - but I do have two screens to work on simultaneously (laptop and external monitor) so I can keep a paper open whilst still writing. Saves a fortune on printing and keeps my desk clear(er).
I don’t use it, but one person I know swears by OneNote for making/keeping notes.

There is no right or wrong way to do this - only what works best for you. Talk to people you share workspaces with, look at what they do/use, because if you choose software and have problems with it it’s better to have someone local using the same thing to lean on.

No don't worry I was being tongue in cheek :)

I'm not sure what ibooks is. I tend to download pdfs/read things online/email links things to myself...then stick it all in a folder on my cloud. Come to think of it, I probably am more likely to read online and write notes on paper using the ipad and its when I'm using the laptop that I'll highlight directly on to the screen.

iAnnotate on the ipad is pretty good for scribbling in the margins.

I use Mendeley for organising papers & references but I'm not v happy with it. I'm told Zotero is good.

but I also still do a lot of work on old fashioned paper.

also some people love Evernote - take notes on ipad or computer & sync them all up.