Finding Research Papers with Sciscoper Paper Search

Overview

Sciscoper's Paper Search tool is an intelligent, AI-powered search engine designed to help you discover the most relevant academic papers for your research. Unlike traditional search engines that rely on exact keyword matching, our tool uses semantic search technology. This means it understands the meaning and intent behind your research question, generating sophisticated search terms to find papers you might otherwise miss.

This guide will walk you through how to use this powerful feature effectively.

Instructions

Step 1: Access the Paper Search Tool

  1. Log in to your Sciscoper account.
  2. From your main dashboard, locate and click on the "Paper Search" tab.
    • Note: This tab is separate from the "Literature Review" tab. Ensure you are in the correct section for finding individual papers.

Step 2: Formulate Your Search Query

You will see a prominent text input field, likely with a placeholder like "Ask a research question..."

  1. Type Your Research Question: Enter your question in natural, plain language. Be as specific as you can about your topic of interest.
    • Example: Instead of climate change crops, try:
      "What is the impact of rising global temperatures on wheat yield and nutritional quality in North America?"
  2. Use Sample Questions (Recommended for New Users): If you're unsure how to phrase your question, click the "Try some sample research questions" link. This will present you with a list of well-structured examples from various fields. Selecting one will automatically populate the search box, giving you a perfect template to modify for your own needs.

Step 3: Initiate the Search and Wait for Processing

  1. Once your question is entered, click the "Search" or "Find Papers" button.
  2. The system will now process your request. Please allow 3-6 minutes for the search to complete.
    • What's happening during this time? Our AI is not simply running a quick query. It is:
      • Analyzing the semantics and context of your question.
      • Identifying key concepts, relationships, and synonyms.
      • Generating a complex set of optimized search terms.
      • Querying multiple academic databases with these terms.
      • Ranking the returned results by relevance to your specific intent.

Step 4: Review and Manage Your Results

After processing, you will be presented with a list of research papers.

  1. Scan the Results: The list will typically include:
    • Paper Title
    • Author(s)
    • Source (Journal, Conference, etc.) and Publication Year
    • Abstract or a key excerpt
    • Direct Link to the source or PDF.
  2. Refine Your Search (If Needed):
    • If the results aren't quite right, you can go back and refine your research question to be more precise or broad.
    • Use terminology you discover in relevant results to improve your next query.
  3. Save and Organize:
    • Select papers that are useful and save them to your personal library or a specific project folder within Sciscoper.
    • Export citation information for your reference manager.

Best Practices for Optimal Results

  • Be Specific and Contextual: The more context you provide, the better. Include details like population (e.g., "in adolescents"), methodology (e.g., "clinical trials"), time frame (e.g., "in the last 5 years"), or a specific outcome (e.g., "on cognitive decline").
  • Ask "How" and "What" Questions: Questions that start with "What is the impact of..." or "How does... affect..." often work very well with semantic search.
  • Iterate is Key: Your first search might not be perfect. Treat it as an exploratory step. Use the titles and abstracts of the papers you find to help you refine your question for a second, more targeted search.
  • Leverage the Sample Questions: Don't overlook the sample questions. They are expertly crafted to demonstrate the ideal level of detail and structure for the AI to parse effectively.

Troubleshooting

  • "The results are too broad." Your question is likely not specific enough. Add more details, specify a geographic region, a time frame, or a particular variable.
  • "The results are irrelevant." Try rephrasing your question. Use different terminology or focus on a different aspect of the problem. The sample questions are a great help here.
  • "The search is taking a long time." Searches typically take a few minutes. This is normal and ensures a deep, comprehensive search. If it takes significantly longer, check your internet connection and try again.