Overview

Once you gain access to Scite, you’ll be able to search academic content using two powerful methods: traditional keyword-based searching and Scite’s AI-powered prompt-based search. This module helps you understand both — and shows how you can prepare your search strategy in advance.

Scite offers smart filters, Boolean logic (e.g. using AND, OR, -), and Citation Statement Search, which allows you to search based on how a claim is cited. In addition, with the Scite Assistant, you’ll be able to ask full questions and receive citation-backed responses based on Smart Citations.

Learning how to frame effective searches — and especially how to write good prompts — will prepare you to explore ideas more efficiently when you unlock your account.

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Flashcards

What does Citation Statement Search allow you to do?

It allows you to search by how a claim is cited — specifically whether it is supported or contrasted. This gives you insight into the context of citations.

What does a Boolean search using 'AND' do?

It returns results that include both search terms. This is useful when narrowing down results to papers that address more than one specific concept.

Which of the following is a valid search filter in Scite?

Date range. You can filter your search results to only include papers published during a specific timeframe.

How can quotation marks be used in a Scite search?

To find exact phrases. This helps narrow results by ensuring that words appear together in the order you specify.

Which term would help you find articles on AI that do NOT mention 'robots'?

"artificial intelligence" -robots. The minus sign excludes results that contain the word “robots.”

Optional - Preparation Task

Take 5–10 minutes to write down three types of search you’d like to try once your Scite access is active. Use one of each of the following styles:

A keyword or Boolean search using AND / OR / NOT
(e.g. "machine learning" AND "education")
A phrase search using quotation marks
(e.g. "climate resilience")
A natural language prompt you’d ask the Scite Assistant
(e.g. "What are the main risks of AI in hiring?" or "What treatments for PTSD are supported by meta-analyses?")