Are you reading the research papers in relation to your own research? If such is the case I guess I would suggest purposes to the effect of "find information directly related to my current research", "find nuggets that cast new light / different perspective", "... in direct conflict with current hypothesis", "...applications or implications that I hadn't thought of" etc.
Or - if your interest is more general - maybe you could ask yourself why you are interested in finding whatever you are looking for. What use will you make of it? Is it to tuck behind your ear for later reference? Is it so that you can have something to talk about at social gatherings? Is it for more insight? Does it relate to something you are writing or working on, or studying?
I'm just sort-of throwing ideas out blindly in the hope that something will ignite that spark of purpose for you 
K.
