How to Use Connected Papers: The Ultimate Research Shortcut for Students
Research can be overwhelming—there’s so much to read, and it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why I love Connected Papers, a free tool that turns your research process into a visual, easy-to-navigate journey. If you’ve ever wished for a guide to help you find the most relevant studies or understand how research papers connect, this tool is for you.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to use Connected Papers, why it’s my favorite research tool, and how it can make your life easier when working on essays, assignments, or theses.
What Is Connected Papers?
Connected Papers is an AI-powered tool that creates a visual map of research papers related to your topic or chosen article. Instead of giving you a boring list of papers, it shows how they’re connected.
Here’s what it can do:
Help you find key studies related to your topic.
Show you how research papers are linked by shared references or ideas.
Highlight both foundational papers (older, highly influential works) and newer studies in your field.
It’s like having a research assistant who organizes everything for you and helps you see the big picture.
Why Students Should Use Connected Papers
Research often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. Connected Papers simplifies this by:
Making it visual: You can see how papers connect, which makes it easier to spot trends and gaps in the research.
Saving time: No more skimming dozens of irrelevant papers—Connected Papers helps you focus on what really matters.
Helping you get started: If you’re new to a topic, this tool gives you a clear starting point by showing related studies.
How to Use Connected Papers
Here’s how to get started with this amazing tool:
Step 1: Go to Connected Papers
Visit Connected Papers. It’s free and doesn’t require an account, so you can dive right in.
Step 2: Search for a Paper or Topic
Enter one of the following:
A paper title (if you already have one in mind).
A keyword related to your research topic (e.g., “climate change policy” or “neurodiversity in education”).
The name of an author whose work you’re exploring.
Example: If you’re researching “renewable energy,” you can enter a key paper or just type in “renewable energy.”
Step 3: Explore the Visual Graph
Once you hit search, Connected Papers will create a visual graph with:
Circles (nodes): Each circle represents a research paper.
Lines (connections): These show how papers are related based on shared references.
Hover over a circle to see the paper’s title, authors, and a short description.
Step 4: Click to Learn More
Click on any circle to access:
A summary of the paper.
A link to the full text (if it’s available).
Details about the references and citations.
This is where you can dive deeper into the studies that interest you.
Step 5: Filter Your Results
Connected Papers lets you focus on:
Prior Works: Older, influential papers that laid the groundwork for your topic.
Derivative Works: Recent studies that build on your chosen paper.
This helps you see how research has evolved over time.
Pro Tips for Using Connected Papers
Start Small: If you’re overwhelmed, begin with one well-known paper and explore its connections.
Look for Clusters: Papers grouped closely together often cover similar subtopics, making them great for narrowing your focus.
Use Other Tools Too: Combine Connected Papers with tools like Scite.ai (to check citations) or Litmaps (to track new studies over time).
How Connected Papers Helps You Succeed
Connected Papers isn’t just about finding sources—it’s about understanding how they fit together. For example, it can help you:
Identify important works you might have missed.
See how different studies build on each other to form a bigger picture.
Organize your thoughts for a literature review or research paper.
If you’ve ever felt stuck on where to begin, this tool is like having a research GPS to guide you.
Final Thoughts
Connected Papers is a must-have tool for university students. Whether you’re new to research or looking to dive deeper into a topic, it simplifies the process and helps you focus on what matters most.
Next time you’re working on an assignment or exploring a new topic, give Connected Papers a try. It’s free, easy to use, and could save you hours of frustration.