Mushtaq Bilal, PhD Profile picture
Dec 1, 2022 18 tweets 6 min read Read on X
SciSpace is an incredible (AI-powered) tool to help you understand research papers better.

It can explain and elaborate most academic texts in simple words.

Here's how to get started on it 👇

A step-by-step tutorial with visuals 🧵
Go to typeset.io and sign up. A screenshot of the landing page of SciSpace. A yellow arrow
Once you're signed up, click on "Upload a PDF." A screenshot of the landing page of SciSpace. A yellow arrow
You will be taken to "My Library" with an "Untitled Collection."

Click on the three dots next to "Upload PDF Files" and rename the collection. A screenshot of "My Library" in SciSpace. A yellow
After you rename the collection, click on "Upload PDF Files" and add a research paper to your collection. A screenshot of "My Library" in SciSpace with a co
Double click on the PDF to open it.

[I've added one of my own papers because that way I can see how accurate the tool is.] A screenshot of "My Library" in Mushtaq's SciSpace
SciSpace will open the PDF along with a "Copilot" to the right of your screen.

You may see a question "What are the key takeaways" in your copilot along with a "Show answer" option.

Click on "Show answer." A screenshot of a PDF opened in SciSpace. A yellow arrow poi
Your copilot will give you a quick summary of the paper.

In this case, the summary is quite useful because it is not just a rewording of the abstract. A screenshot of a PDF and the copilot in SciSpace. A yellow
If the paper contains tables and graphs, you can ask the copilot to explain them.

To do so, click on the "Clip math & tables" towards the bottom-right of your screen. A screenshot of a PDF opened in SciSpace. A yellow arrow poi
Select the relevant table. A screenshot of a PDF opened in SciSpace. A red square highl
The copilot will take a snapshot of the highlighted table/graph and explain it.

I am quite satisfied with the explanation of this graph here. A screenshot of a PDF open in SciSpace. A yellow arrow point
You can also ask the copilot to explain a certain passage.

To do so, simply highlight the relevant passage. A red square highlights a paragraph in a PDF opened in SciSp
The copilot will give you an explanation of the selected passage.

In this case, I am not happy with the explanation the copilot provided.

If that's the case, you can ask a follow up question. A yellow arrow points to an explanation of a paragraph provi
To ask a follow up question, click on the small down arrow on the top-right of the explanation box. A yellow arrow points to "Ask follow up question"
Type your question in the "Write your question" box at the bottom-right of your screen. A yellow arrow points to the "Write your question"
The copilot will generate an answer to your question.

In this case, I am satisfied with the answer to the follow up question. A yellow arrow points to the answer to a follow up question
Found this thread helpful?

1. Scroll to the top and retweet the first tweet to share it with your friends.

2. Follow me @MushtaqBilalPhD for more tips on academic writing.

Disclaimer: I haven't been paid to do this tutorial😢

But with your support that could change😀
Update: Just heard from the wonderful people working at @scispace_

They'd welcome any comments and feedback folks may have.

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More from @MushtaqBilalPhD

Jun 28
Free: Sci-Hub, a "pirate" website with access to 84M+ research papers.

Free: Zotero, a reference manager.

Free: Google NotebookLM, an AI-powered research assistant.

Download papers from Sci-Hub directly to Zotero and read them with the help of NotebookLM.

Here's how:
1. Download Zotero Sci-Hub plugin

Go to this link: github(dot)com/syt2/zotero-scipdf
Replace the word "dot" with an actual [.]

Scroll down and click on "latest release xpi file."

This will download an "xpi" file to your computer.
2. Download Zotero Attanger plugin

Go to this link: github(dot)com/MuiseDestiny/zotero-attanger/releases
Replace the word "dot" with an actual [.]

Click on "zotero-attanger.xpi"

This will download another "xpi" file to your computer.
Read 11 tweets
Jun 26
Ten smart ways of using ChatGPT for academic purposes (that do not involve any plagiarism):
1. Project Management and Scheduling:

Sample Prompt:

Project Title:
Project Type:
Expected Start Date:
Expected Finish Date:
Follow very carefully the steps given below:
1. Carefully consider the scope and type of the project (if it is a journal article, conference paper, dissertation, presentation).
2. Consider carefully the primary and secondary academic fields relevant to the project.
3. Act as if you are a leading expert in the primary and secondary fields relevant to the project. You can proficiently explain the project using adequate technical knowledge and language.
4. Act as if you are an award-winning teacher who can break down extremely complex ideas into easily understandable language.
5. Keeping in mind the scope, type, and the academic field of the project, break it down in tasks that can be scheduled weekly. Do this very carefully. This breakdown should optimize for speed without compromising on authenticity of the project.
6. Breakdown the weekly tasks into subtasks that can be completed within a normal workday of six to eight hours.
7. Every subtask should be accompanied by one to two pieces of clear and actionable advice to carry out the subtask. Remind me constantly to focus on progress and not perfection.
8. While giving the schedule of the project, you must consider the importance of both mental health and the ability to meet deadlines. Strive to have a work-life balance.
2. Brainstorming Ideas

Start by asking a couple of “warmup” questions. This way you will get better suggestions. You can ask questions like, “Do you know about X?” and “Do you know about Y?”

Then ask how we can be related X with Y. After that ask ChatGPT to help you brainstorm research questions on the relationship between X and Y.

While brainstorming ideas, always start with a basic idea and build on that gradually.
Read 13 tweets
Jun 25
Genspark's Downlaod Agent is a great and reliable tool to outsource your academic labor.

Give it details like your topic, citation count, time period, publisher, etc. and it will download the relevant papers for you.

Here's how to outsource your labor to Genspark:
1. Go to genspark[.]ai and sign up for a free account.
2. Above the chat box, click on "Download for me."

Type in your topic and mention the time period (e.g. papers published from 2000 to 2025). You can also ask it to only download papers published in rigorous academic journals.

The Download Agent will do the needful.
Read 14 tweets
Jun 24
Writing a paper involves a lot of reading, drafting, revising, and formatting citations.

Yomu is an AI app that can streamline your whole writing process (without cheating).

Here's how to use it:
1. Go to yomu(dot)ai and sign up for an account.
2. In the left taskbar, click on "Chat with Yomu."

Yomu offers a bunch of LLMs including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Select an LLM of your choice.

In the chat bar, type in your topic and ask it to give you an outline.
Read 12 tweets
Jun 23
How to Win a Scholarship for Your Master's/PhD (and Study Abroad)
Step 1: Figure out the academic field/discipline of your interest. Advanced degrees like Master's/PhDs are quite field-specific.

It would help greatly if you had a clear understanding of the kind of work you want to do.
Step 2: Figure out the country you want to study in. This is important because every country has its own system of higher education.

You must learn how it works before you start working on your application.
Read 23 tweets
Jun 23
Zotero's new Note Editor can supercharge your note-taking and writing processes.

But many academics don't know about it.

Here's how to take notes with Zotero's Note Editor:
1. Open your Zotero desktop app and select a relevant collection.

Drag and drop the paper you want to read and take notes on.

Open the paper by double-clicking on it.
2. Zotero will open the paper in a new window.

To your left, you will see an annotations panel, and to your right, the paper's metadata.

On the top of the paper, you will see annotation options.

In the right bar, you will see a small button for Zotero's Note Editor. A screenshot of Zotero's Note Editor.
Read 18 tweets

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