Prof Lennart Nacke, PhD Profile picture
🧠 Tenured brain, fresh daily takes. Maximum citations but sanity questionable. The prof your prof follows for daily research & AI takes. Quality wins.
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Jul 20 15 tweets 2 min read
I've been a Prof 13+ years and have 300+ citations.

It took me a decade of reviewing terrible literature sections and deep analysis to learn what I'm about to tell you in 3 minutes: The Problem:

Most PhD students organize related work completely wrong.

They create random catalogs:

Paper A did this.
Paper B did that.
Paper C found something else.

Sound familiar? 😅
Jul 6 10 tweets 3 min read
In 20 years, I've published 300+ papers: 41k+ citations.

It all started with just 3 simple writing tips per section.

The best researchers know this secret.

Great papers tell great stories that keep readers hooked. How?

Here's my academic storytelling framework: Best-paper winning academic storytelling framework. INTRODUCTION
Start with curiosity, not conclusions.

Your introduction should make readers think:
I've never considered that.

• Contrast an intriguing fact to existing work in your field
• Introduce a thought-provoking problem
• Focus on a little-known perspective

This creates immediate engagement.
Jul 2 12 tweets 3 min read
As a professor I've worked with dozens of high-performing researchers.

The secret to thriving in modern academia?

Most early-career researchers think:
Academic success = publish papers + teach classes.

Wrong.

What actually creates breakthrough careers: Not academic success Traditional academia is dying.

The professors thriving today don't just publish—they:

• Get really good at AI to 10x research effectiveness
• Design transformative curricula (not just lectures)
• Lead innovation ecosystems beyond campus

Here's the playbook: 👇
Jun 24 13 tweets 3 min read
Most researchers spend 40+ hours reading papers but can barely remember what they read last week.

After diving deep into how to take notes for my courses,
I found this 4-step system that turns reading into permanent knowledge.

Here's how to never forget what you read again: how to take smart notes Most of us treat note-taking like passive transcription.

We:

• Can't connect ideas across sources
• Never revisit our notes
• Copy quotes verbatim
• Highlight everything

Result? Our notes become information graveyards.
Jun 14 7 tweets 1 min read
The 3-2-1 Writing Clarity Rule that changed how I approach every academic paper:

Most academics think complex ideas need complex sentences.

They're wrong.

Here's how the 3-2-1 rule works: 3 Types of Unnecessary Words to Cut:

Redundant pairs
("completely eliminate," "exact same")

Vague time markers
("nowadays," "at this point in time")

Meaningless intensifiers
("very unique," "quite significant")
May 19 45 tweets 2 min read
I believed these 11 lies about literature reviews until I knew better

Don't let these myths hold you back.

The honest truth about literature reviews: 🗣️ "A literature review is just a summary of sources"
Apr 14 9 tweets 2 min read
How I went from 12 citations to 39,286 by changing how I wrote.

Not what I researched.

My biggest struggles as a researcher were:

* Staying motivated
* Getting published
* Being cited

The one thing I learned:
Writing a paper isn’t hard. Writing a readable one is.

Successful research papers are 60% science, 40% packaging.How to package a research paper Here's my 7-step framework for writing papers
people actually want to read:

1. Abstract = Your 30-second pitch

Answer simply: "What problem did I solve and why should anyone care?"

Your abstract is your elevator pitch.
Most of you are still writing disclaimers.
Feb 19 5 tweets 2 min read
The biggest mistake researchers make with AI?

Using it to confirm what they already believe.

Don't turn AI into an echo chamber instead of an adversary.

The lazy way to use AI in academia:

• Polish existing arguments
• Speed up writing papers
• Format citations faster

Using AI just to speed up, not to question methods.
But aren't we already going fast enough, folks?AI's real power is disagreeing with you (infographic) AI's real power is in its ability to disagree with you

Try these 3 approaches instead:

1. Force AI to argue against your hypothesis

Make it play devil's advocate with cherished research assumptions. The counterarguments it generates might shed light on things you've missed.
Jan 13 10 tweets 4 min read
Most PhD students work 10x harder than needed.

I see it daily - smart students drowning in manual tasks tools could handle.

(This kills your research productivity)

8 use cases where you can cut your workload in half: 33 Must have tools for PhD students 1. Literature reviews made simple

• ConnectedPapers
• Research Rabbit
• Consensus
• SciSpace
• Litmaps
• Scite
• Elicit

These tools you discover relevant research papers effortlessly.

Visualize your references and stay updated with the latest publications. Image
Dec 30, 2024 5 tweets 2 min read
Here's the perfect formula to write a literature review paragraph.

A great literature review paragraph needs exactly 2 components.

Most students think every paper needs its own paragraph.

Completely off the mark.

The secret? Lit Review Paragraph example. Combine synthesis + evaluation:

• Find papers with similar findings
• Group them under one theme
• Connect everything together
• Add critique for each study
Dec 26, 2024 5 tweets 2 min read
Most people approach critical thinking wrong.

They focus on individual skills:
• Problem-solving ability
• Decision making
• Logical reasoning

But critical thinking has 3 deeper layers: Overview of critical and analytical thinking from https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2017/8/30-1 1. Question Everything

Ask "why" before accepting claims
Challenge your own assumptions
Seek evidence beyond opinions

2. Build Connections

Link knowledge to experience
Find patterns in complex data
Connect seemingly unrelated ideas

3. Stay Open-Minded

Listen to opposing views
Update beliefs with new evidence
Focus on learning, not being right

The difference between good and great thinkers?
Dec 23, 2024 4 tweets 2 min read
A systematic review requires exhaustive, comprehensive searching with quality assessment criteria, while a rapid review can be completed with time-limited formal quality assessment. The difference is months of work.

According to this paper, 14 literature review types exist.

If you get started, focus on 2 main types:

Systematic reviews → exhaustive analysis
Rapid reviews → quick assessmentTable 1 from Grant, M. J., & Booth, A. (2009). A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 26(2), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x Systematic reviews:

• Quality assessment required
• Comprehensive searching
• 6-24 months timeline
• Tabular presentation
• Narrative synthesis
• Formal protocols

Rapid reviews:

• Limited quality checks
• Time-bound searching
• Evidence summary
• Basic presentation
• 1-6 month timeline
• Flexible protocols

The distinction?

Speed vs. thoroughness.
Dec 22, 2024 4 tweets 2 min read
The human mind, heart, and body are more complex than we think.

(This will change how you see decision-making forever)

Most people view the mind as a simple input-output machine. But it's actually a sophisticated system of interconnected layers: Layers of body, mind, heart. Core

• Raw existence (energy, matter, time)
• Basic survival instincts
• Pure consciousness

Personal

• Your unique experiences
• Individual behaviours
• Personal values

Environment

• Cultural institutions
• Power structures
• Economic forces

Each layer influences every decision you make.

But you have to understand which layer drives specific choices.

Want to change behaviour for good?
Target the correct layer.
Dec 17, 2024 5 tweets 2 min read
Chat PDF in Paperpal just changed how I read research papers.

Just uploaded a systematic review paper and my jaw dropped.

Here's what happened: Instant paper insights with paperpal through chatting with a PDF. 1. Instant paper breakdown

• Title, authors, DOI extracted automatically
• Smart summary generated in seconds
• Key sections identified and linked
• Research questions pulled out precisely

2. Smart paper connections

• Found relevant papers I hadn't discovered
• Connected papers across different fields
• Added them to my library with one click
• Surfaced hidden relationships

But the real magic? The built-in question engine.
Dec 15, 2024 5 tweets 2 min read
Most researchers make a fatal mistake in their proposal's introduction, but understanding the "Why-What" sequence can change everything...

Here's a 15-part structure I use that makes it simple.

Let's break it down into 7 broad steps: How to write a research proposal infographic from Lennart Nacke. 1. Start with why it matters in context

• State your research purpose
• Hook readers with significance

2. Back up claims in literature

• Map the existing knowledge
• Find the gaps to fill
Nov 23, 2024 6 tweets 2 min read
Most philosophers got problem-solving better than modern design thinking.

This missing piece changes everything about tackling complex challenges:

Most people think philosophy is useless in business and politics.

They're missing the most powerful operating system for decision-making.How to Think Infographic by Emily Ann Campbell, hire her at: https://www.behance.net/gallery/172412725/How-To-Think-Infographic There is a kind of magic to how great thinkers solve problems.

Here's the deal:

Your mind uses philosophical frameworks on inner autopilot:

• Logic structures how you make decisions
• Metaphysics shapes how you see reality
• Epistemology determines how you learn

A simple trick: treat different thought processes like tools.
Nov 13, 2024 8 tweets 3 min read
Most researchers make a critical mistake in their methods section that instantly signals 'amateur' to reviewers. It's so common that I see it in 7 out of 10 papers, yet so simple to fix...

Delay writing your Methods section.

Spend time owning your research process first: 8 steps to a great methods section. By answering 4 questions:

• What problem did you solve?
• For whom did you solve it?
• Why did this problem need solving?
• How did you solve it effectively?

Get comfortable thinking through each:

Think through your research design
Think through your ethical choices
Think through your data collection
Think through your analysis steps
Think through your limitations

Write down specific answers for each.

And if you have unclear answers:

→ Take time to better understand
Nov 11, 2024 4 tweets 2 min read
Every groundbreaking discovery in science started with someone willing to challenge their own assumptions. Your next literature review could be the one that changes everything.

Your academic work needs to fight confirmation bias.

It's blocking you from great research.

And it's easier to fix than you think.

Here's how to destroy confirmation bias in your research:Image 1. Plan before you search

→ Write your research questions
→ Define inclusion criteria
→ List your search terms
→ Pick your databases

2. Document everything

→ All search strings used
→ Every database checked
→ Number of results found
→ Selection decisions made

3. Remove author identity

→ Code your studies
→ Hide author names
→ Mask institutions
→ Review methods first

4. Use two reviewers

→ Independent assessments
→ Compare decisions
→ Discuss differences
→ Record resolutions
Nov 5, 2024 4 tweets 2 min read
Frustrated by academic bias against AI tools?

If you’re using AI for writing, reviewers might be working against you.

But most reviewers can't tell if your research paper was written by AI.

(This changes how we think about academic writing)

Here's what my research team discovered (new article published):New article is out: The great AI witch hunt: Reviewers’ perception and (Mis)conception of generative AI in research writing by Hilda Hadan, Derrick M. Wang, Reza Hadi Mogavi, Joseph Tu, Leah Zhang-Kennedy, Lennart E. Nacke. With top reviewers as participants,
our research breaks down AI misconceptions:

• AI-assisted papers were seen as more honest
• They consistently failed to spot which was which
• Their judgment of research quality stayed the same
• Those familiar with AI gave higher ratings for clarity
• Reviewers rated AI-generated and human-written papers equally

But here's the most interesting part...

Reviewers valued one thing above all:

The "human touch" in research writing.
Oct 23, 2024 7 tweets 2 min read
Most PhD students fail at research questions.

(I used to be one of them)

See, back when I started my research journey, I thought coming up with research questions was pure luck.

Just throw something at the wall and hope it sticks.

Wrong.

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown: 4 steps to building a research question infographic 1. Define the broad topic area of research

Start broad.

In just one or two sentences, outline the general area you’re interested in.

(Example: “User interaction in virtual reality environments.”)

This sets the stage for deeper investigation.
Oct 22, 2024 10 tweets 2 min read
Stop writing academic papers like a robot.

Tell stories instead.

Most academic writing puts people to sleep.

But it doesn't have to.

Academic storytelling changes everything.

Here's why it works: 5 academic storytelling techniques → Builds emotional connection
→ Creates memorable content
→ Makes complex ideas clear
→ Keeps readers engaged
→ Drives more citations

Yet most academics fail at storytelling.

So I broke it down into 5 simple techniques: