What I've Learned Testing 100+ AI Tools For Research - YouTube
In this video, I talk about how to effectively use AI tools for research and share what I’ve learned from using hundreds of them.
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While there are many specialized AI tools for researchers, I’ve found that general large language models, like ChatGPT, can handle most tasks if you know how to use them properly. The key is in how you prompt these models, and in this video, I go over the important elements of crafting the perfect prompt.
I discuss the role of AI tools in streamlining different stages of research, from literature reviews to writing and editing. Many of these tools, like SciSpace or Consensus, are great for specific tasks, but there isn’t a single one that can do it all. You need to build an AI toolkit with the best AI tools for your needs, combining different ones to cover the various steps in your research workflow.
One of the biggest takeaways from this video is that no matter how advanced AI for research becomes, it’s always a collaborative process. You need to guide the AI by providing clear context, specifying what you want, and giving it feedback so that it can improve its responses. I also mention that AI tools are constantly changing, so you have to stay flexible and ready to switch to a different tool if the one you’re using no longer meets your needs.
Finally, I address some of the misconceptions people have about using AI tools in research. For instance, some believe that using AI is “cheating” or that it’s too complicated to integrate into their workflow. However, I explain how publishers are relaxing rules around AI use, and how even major companies like Google allow AI-generated content. Ultimately, the goal is to find the best AI tools that work for you, without feeling overwhelmed by the ever-growing number of options.
................................................
▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
02:28 Topsy Turvy World of AI Tools
04:06 Collaborative efforts between you and AI
05:03 The usual changes in AI
06:19 AI Rules and Regulations
07:35 AI Fatigue
................................................
▼ ▽ RECOMMENDED ACADEMIC TOOLS AND SERVICES
▶ Recommended Apps, Books and Courses: https://academiainsider.com/recommended-apps-courses-and-books/
AI TOOLS
▶ Best PhD Writing Tool - Writefull - https://link.andrewstapleton.com.au/writefull (Get 10% off with my link)
▶ Best Literature Search - Litmaps - https://app.litmaps.co (Get 10% off with code STAPLETON)
▶ Best Literature Review Writing Tool - Jenni.ai - https://jenni.ai/ (Get 20% off with code ANDY20)
▼ ▽ RECOMMENDED YOUTUBE TOOLS AND SERVICES
▶ VidIQ - https://vidiq.com/drandy
▶ Camera - Canon EOS 650D https://amzn.to/3aDOog6
▶ On camera mic - https://amzn.to/3iMTzx0
▶ Webcam - https://amzn.to/43a8YyP
▶ Shotgun microphone - https://amzn.to/34gzcUX
▶ Portable recorder - https://amzn.to/3kUzF53
▶ Lighting - https://amzn.to/2YgbAfv
▼ ▽ Socials for shorts and reels
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandystapleton/
▼ ▽ Sign up for my FREE newsletter
Join 21,000+ email subscribers receiving the free tools and academic tips directly from me:
https://academiainsider.com/newsletter/
▼ ▽ MY COURSES AND EBOOKS ▼ ▽
▶ Become a Master Academic Writer With AI using my course: https://academy.academiainsider.com/courses/ai-writing-course
▶ Use my Ultimate PhD Kickstart: 12 Point Success System for Aspiring PhDs to start your PhD strong: https://academy.academiainsider.com/courses/smart-supervisor-selection
▶ My best YouTube advice curated into an an easy to follow course, Effortless Academia: https://academy.academiainsider.com/courses/make-academia-work-for-you
▶ Applying for a PhD? Get my FREE PhD application resource pack to apply with confidence: https://www.subscribepage.com/freeapplicationresourcepack
▶ Learn what I wish I had known before starting my PhD in my ebook bundle: https://academiainsider.com/ebook-bundle/
While there are many specialized AI tools for researchers, I’ve found that general large language models, like ChatGPT, can handle most tasks if you know how to use them properly. The key is in how you prompt these models, and in this video, I go over the important elements of crafting the perfect prompt.
I discuss the role of AI tools in streamlining different stages of research, from literature reviews to writing and editing. Many of these tools, like SciSpace or Consensus, are great for specific tasks, but there isn’t a single one that can do it all. You need to build an AI toolkit with the best AI tools for your needs, combining different ones to cover the various steps in your research workflow.
One of the biggest takeaways from this video is that no matter how advanced AI for research becomes, it’s always a collaborative process. You need to guide the AI by providing clear context, specifying what you want, and giving it feedback so that it can improve its responses. I also mention that AI tools are constantly changing, so you have to stay flexible and ready to switch to a different tool if the one you’re using no longer meets your needs.
Finally, I address some of the misconceptions people have about using AI tools in research. For instance, some believe that using AI is “cheating” or that it’s too complicated to integrate into their workflow. However, I explain how publishers are relaxing rules around AI use, and how even major companies like Google allow AI-generated content. Ultimately, the goal is to find the best AI tools that work for you, without feeling overwhelmed by the ever-growing number of options.
................................................
▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
02:28 Topsy Turvy World of AI Tools
04:06 Collaborative efforts between you and AI
05:03 The usual changes in AI
06:19 AI Rules and Regulations
07:35 AI Fatigue
................................................
▼ ▽ RECOMMENDED ACADEMIC TOOLS AND SERVICES
▶ Recommended Apps, Books and Courses: https://academiainsider.com/recommended-apps-courses-and-books/
AI TOOLS
▶ Best PhD Writing Tool - Writefull - https://link.andrewstapleton.com.au/writefull (Get 10% off with my link)
▶ Best Literature Search - Litmaps - https://app.litmaps.co (Get 10% off with code STAPLETON)
▶ Best Literature Review Writing Tool - Jenni.ai - https://jenni.ai/ (Get 20% off with code ANDY20)
▼ ▽ RECOMMENDED YOUTUBE TOOLS AND SERVICES
▶ VidIQ - https://vidiq.com/drandy
▶ Camera - Canon EOS 650D https://amzn.to/3aDOog6
▶ On camera mic - https://amzn.to/3iMTzx0
▶ Webcam - https://amzn.to/43a8YyP
▶ Shotgun microphone - https://amzn.to/34gzcUX
▶ Portable recorder - https://amzn.to/3kUzF53
▶ Lighting - https://amzn.to/2YgbAfv
▼ ▽ Socials for shorts and reels
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandystapleton/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandystapleton
Transcript Tools
Key Points About AI Tools:
1. Base LLM Recommendation:
- Large language models (like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Bing) can handle most research tasks effectively
- Most specialized tools are actually built on top of these base LLMs
2. Optimal Prompting Structure:
- Context: State role/expertise (e.g., "I am a researcher...")
- Purpose: Clearly state what you want
- Constraints: Specify limitations
- Format: Define desired output format
- Audience: Specify intended audience
3. Specific Tools Mentioned:
- Side Space: Excellent for literature reviews and semantic search
- Julius AI: For data analysis
- Jenny: For writing
- Consensus: For finding research consensus across papers
- Chat PDF: For research document analysis
4. Best Practices:
- Create a personal AI toolkit by chaining different tools together
- Treat AI use as a collaborative conversation, not a one-shot solution
- Be prepared to swap tools as they change/update
- Check publisher rules regarding AI usage
- Avoid "AI fatigue" by sticking to tools that work well for you rather than chasing every new option
5. Important Considerations:
- Tools frequently change their interfaces, models, and prompts
- Each tool excels at specific tasks - no single tool covers the entire research process
- Publisher policies on AI use have generally become more permissive but still have specific guidelines
- Focus on finding tools that work well for your specific research field rather than trying everything
1. Base LLM Recommendation:
- Large language models (like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Bing) can handle most research tasks effectively
- Most specialized tools are actually built on top of these base LLMs
2. Optimal Prompting Structure:
- Context: State role/expertise (e.g., "I am a researcher...")
- Purpose: Clearly state what you want
- Constraints: Specify limitations
- Format: Define desired output format
- Audience: Specify intended audience
3. Specific Tools Mentioned:
- Side Space: Excellent for literature reviews and semantic search
- Julius AI: For data analysis
- Jenny: For writing
- Consensus: For finding research consensus across papers
- Chat PDF: For research document analysis
4. Best Practices:
- Create a personal AI toolkit by chaining different tools together
- Treat AI use as a collaborative conversation, not a one-shot solution
- Be prepared to swap tools as they change/update
- Check publisher rules regarding AI usage
- Avoid "AI fatigue" by sticking to tools that work well for you rather than chasing every new option
5. Important Considerations:
- Tools frequently change their interfaces, models, and prompts
- Each tool excels at specific tasks - no single tool covers the entire research process
- Publisher policies on AI use have generally become more permissive but still have specific guidelines
- Focus on finding tools that work well for your specific research field rather than trying everything
Important Considerations
1. Frequent Tool Changes:
- AI tools are in a rapid development phase where features and interfaces change overnight
- Changes can include:
* Updated user interfaces
* New underlying models
* Different prompting requirements
* Modified pricing structures
- The author recommends being flexible and ready to switch tools if updates make them less useful
- Don't become too dependent on specific features that might change
2. No Single "Perfect" Tool:
- The research process has many distinct phases:
* Literature discovery
* Reading and analysis
* Data processing
* Writing
* Editing
* Publication preparation
- Each tool typically specializes in one or a few of these areas
- The author predicts future consolidation where larger AI platforms may acquire smaller specialized tools
- Currently in a "Wild West" phase with many competing specialized solutions
3. Publisher AI Policies:
- Evolution from strict prohibition to conditional acceptance
- Major publishers now generally allow AI use with specific guidelines
- Changes driven by:
* Recognition that AI use can't be effectively policed
* Google's acceptance of AI-generated content
* Practical necessity in modern research
- Researchers should:
* Check current publisher guidelines before submission
* Document AI tool usage according to requirements
* Stay informed about policy updates
4. Field-Specific Effectiveness:
- Tools perform differently across different research fields
- Reasons for variation aren't always clear
- Recommendations:
* Test tools specifically in your research domain
* Focus on tools that demonstrate clear value for your field
* Don't assume that popular tools in one field will work well in another
5. Strategy for Tool Selection:
- Focus on tools that consistently deliver value
- Avoid "FOMO" regarding new tools
- Within each subcategory (writing, literature review, etc.), tools tend to be similar
- Only consider switching when there's a significant improvement in capability
- Personal preference and workflow compatibility should guide tool selection
Would you like me to dive deeper into any of these aspects or provide specific examples?
- AI tools are in a rapid development phase where features and interfaces change overnight
- Changes can include:
* Updated user interfaces
* New underlying models
* Different prompting requirements
* Modified pricing structures
- The author recommends being flexible and ready to switch tools if updates make them less useful
- Don't become too dependent on specific features that might change
2. No Single "Perfect" Tool:
- The research process has many distinct phases:
* Literature discovery
* Reading and analysis
* Data processing
* Writing
* Editing
* Publication preparation
- Each tool typically specializes in one or a few of these areas
- The author predicts future consolidation where larger AI platforms may acquire smaller specialized tools
- Currently in a "Wild West" phase with many competing specialized solutions
3. Publisher AI Policies:
- Evolution from strict prohibition to conditional acceptance
- Major publishers now generally allow AI use with specific guidelines
- Changes driven by:
* Recognition that AI use can't be effectively policed
* Google's acceptance of AI-generated content
* Practical necessity in modern research
- Researchers should:
* Check current publisher guidelines before submission
* Document AI tool usage according to requirements
* Stay informed about policy updates
4. Field-Specific Effectiveness:
- Tools perform differently across different research fields
- Reasons for variation aren't always clear
- Recommendations:
* Test tools specifically in your research domain
* Focus on tools that demonstrate clear value for your field
* Don't assume that popular tools in one field will work well in another
5. Strategy for Tool Selection:
- Focus on tools that consistently deliver value
- Avoid "FOMO" regarding new tools
- Within each subcategory (writing, literature review, etc.), tools tend to be similar
- Only consider switching when there's a significant improvement in capability
- Personal preference and workflow compatibility should guide tool selection
Would you like me to dive deeper into any of these aspects or provide specific examples?
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