5️⃣ Start broad, then refine

Begin with a wide search and use filters or advanced search tools to narrow results efficiently.

🔍 Getting the structure right early saves hours later.

3️⃣ Combine smartly with #BooleanLogic

Use AND, OR, NOT to link ideas.

Keep key phrases together in quotes like “climate change adaptation.”

4️⃣ Check your syntax

If your results seem off, you might’ve grouped things wrong or used lowercase “and” instead of AND.

1️⃣ Know your database

Before typing anything, check if it uses natural language or structured search (like #Dimensions).

2️⃣ Brainstorm your keywords

List out main terms + synonyms.

Different fields use different vocabularies - like Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) in medicine.

2️⃣ You can also look through the bibliographies of articles, known as chaining, and find relevant articles missed in initial searches.

3️⃣ While AI search tools are fast, keep in mind their results may not be reproducible.

1️⃣ Databases consist of metadata and fields, and using structured queries usually yields the best results. Some search engines can convert natural language into structured queries for better outcomes (like Google)

Hey! Our reference manager tool automatically searches databases like Google Scholar to find papers that might be of interest to you based on the papers you already have in your library!

We also have a related article feature, you can see details here :) www.papersapp.com/help-center/...

You can get the whole run-down of these tips in our webinar 'Navigating the Research Landscape" - readcube.wistia.com/medias/z48l0...

Our resident librarian breaks down the steps to publishing and what to look out for!

What else do you look for? Let us know!

3. Cost to Publish

You can either choose in a journal that's free to publish, or one with an Article Processing Charge (APC) where you pay to publish.

Open Access Journals aren't necessary free to publish in, they're just free for readers!

2. The Journal Prestige

You can analyze each Journal's Impact Factor (JIF), the Journal Rank, or Subject Normalized Impact Factors (SNIP), which looks at discipline weighting across to normalize subject areas

1. Suitability of the journal

Not all journals make sense for your area of research, and some disciplines have hundreds of journals

You can check...

Where have your colleagues published?

Find articles similar to yours, look at where they're published.

Your local library! Ask your librarian :)

It might feel never-ending at times, but it’s what makes your research stand up to scrutiny and make a real impact.

💡 Pro tip: Keep your notes, citations, and drafts organized, and your future self (and your reviewers) will thank you!

You can find direct links to add these Lists to your Papers library on our blog, all about Smart Lists here: www.papersapp.com/help-center/...