How to use AI to find *ALL* the literature for your research | A blended approach

Summary

This video script outlines various AI-powered methods for literature search in research, emphasizing the utility of semantic search tools for answering specific questions and exploring literature around seed papers using tools like LitMaps, Connected Papers, and Research Rabbit. It also discusses the importance of following renowned authors and their research groups for up-to-date information. Additionally, it introduces the snowball method for expanding literature search and the use of AI for keyword suggestions to refine searches. The script concludes with a call to action for viewers to engage with the content creator's resources.

Takeaways

• 🔍 When entering a research field, finding literature can be overwhelming due to the vast amount of resources and tools available.
• 🤖 AI tools like semantic search help in finding literature by allowing researchers to type in questions and get relevant papers and summaries.
• 🌱 Seed papers are a great way to start exploring literature. Tools like LitMaps, Connected Papers, and Research Rabbit allow researchers to visualize and expand on these seed papers.
• 🗺️ LitMaps enables exploration of literature through visual maps and momentum-based article sorting, helping identify trending research.
• 🔗 Connected Papers highlights prior and derivative works, making it easier to find up-to-date information and expand literature searches.
• 🐰 Research Rabbit offers complex yet powerful mapping and sorting features for exploring literature and finding relevant papers.
• 👨‍🔬 Following well-known authors and their academic research portfolios can lead to finding valuable, up-to-date papers from their work and their research teams.
• 🔑 Keywords remain a crucial part of searching for literature. Using AI tools like ChatGPT helps generate key terms for more effective searches in databases like Google Scholar.
• ❄️ The snowball method involves collecting a large number of papers by following references, opening multiple tabs, and accumulating as many papers as possible for later reading.
• 📚 Reading and summarizing papers over time is essential for staying updated in academia, and AI can assist with literature reviews by synthesizing large amounts of information.

Q & A

What is one of the recommended ways to find literature using AI tools?

One of the recommended ways is to use semantic searching by typing in a question related to your research topic. AI tools can then provide summaries and related papers.

How can seed papers help in literature exploration?

Seed papers can be used to explore literature and themes around a particular area of interest. Tools like Litmaps, Connected Papers, and Research Rabbit can help in visualizing and expanding the search based on a seed paper.

What does Litmaps offer when you input a seed article?

Litmaps provides a visual map of the literature related to the seed article, allowing exploration and sorting by different metrics such as momentum or citation frequency.

How does Connected Papers assist in literature search?

Connected Papers shows prior works and derivative works based on a seed paper, helping to find more recent papers and explore citations and references in various ways.

What unique feature does Research Rabbit provide for literature search?

Research Rabbit provides a map and various sorting options for references, citations, and authors, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of literature around a selected paper.

Why is following well-known authors beneficial in academic research?

Following well-known authors ensures access to the most recent and influential papers in a field, as these authors often have a team producing data and papers around their research themes.

How can academic research portfolio pages help in literature search?

Academic research portfolio pages collect and update recent papers of an author, providing a reliable source for up-to-date information and research outputs.

What is the snowball method for literature search and when is it useful?

The snowball method involves starting with one paper and indiscriminately opening and exploring related papers, citations, and references to expand the literature search. It's useful when feeling stuck or needing to re-energize the research direction.

How can AI tools like chatGPT assist in finding literature?

AI tools like chatGPT can suggest relevant keywords for literature search in specific fields, helping to discover papers that might not have been found using traditional keyword searches.

What is the significance of following PhD students and research assistants in a research group?

Following PhD students and research assistants is significant as they are often the workhorses of the lab, producing much of the data and papers that are foundational to the field.