<p>I can't help staying awake while reading papers!
Today I started my summer research in molecular biology and the papers to read are really boring and dry, putting me into sleep within 30 minutes.
I don't even understand many things in the papers, mainly due to lack of background information.
What's worse is even though I know what my research outline is about, I can't really explain what it exactly is.
Is this normal?</p>
<p>Yes, this is common among outsiders to a particular field. To read most reserach publications in a specific area you do need background. Try finding a review or a related textbook article.</p>
<p>I have the same problem (I do research in microbio). I underline the main concepts that I’m unfamiliar with and either ask my advisor or try to find info online.</p>