AI for Literature Review & Research
Complete Guide for BSc/MSc Sciences Students 2026
Find, summarize, and organize academic papers for literature reviews
Quick Answer
Elicit is an AI research assistant that searches 125+ million academic papers and automatically extracts key findings for literature reviews. For BSc/MSc Sciences students, it cuts literature review time by 80% through semantic search, AI-powered screening, and structured data extraction with 94-99% accuracy.
Why BSc/MSc Sciences Students Need AI for Literature Review & Research
BSc/MSc Sciences students face unique challenges when it comes to literature review & research. From managing complex academic assignments to meeting tight deadlines, AI tools can significantly streamline your workflow and improve the quality of your work.
Common Challenges
Finding relevant academic papers
Reading and summarizing dozens of papers
Extracting key findings from studies
Organizing references
Keeping track of citations
How AI Tools Help
AI finds relevant papers based on your topic
Automatic paper summarization
Key findings extraction
Citation management
Semantic search across 200M+ papers
Featured Tool Recommendation
Elicit
Our top recommendation for literature review & research among BSc/MSc Sciences students.
Why Students Love It:
- ✓ Specifically designed for academic use
- ✓ Student discounts available
- ✓ Easy to learn and use
- ✓ Excellent customer support
Related Use Cases for BSc/MSc Sciences
Research Paper Writing
Write, edit, and format academic research papers with AI assistance for grammar, citations, and academic tone
Plagiarism Detection
Check documents for plagiarism and ensure originality before submission
Citation & Bibliography
Generate accurate citations and bibliographies in multiple formats (APA, MLA, Chicago)
Are you a BSc or MSc student struggling with the daunting task of conducting a literature review and research? You're not alone! Many Indian students face challenges like information overload, tight deadlines, and the pressure of competitive exams and placements. This is where AI tools become essential. They streamline your research process, making it easier to find relevant literature and synthesise information effectively. One standout option is Elicit, an AI-powered tool designed to assist students like you in efficiently conducting research and literature reviews, helping you gain a competitive edge in a demanding job market.
Top 5 Challenges & AI Solutions
Information Overload
The vast amount of research material can be overwhelming.
✨ AI Solution:
AI tools like Elicit help filter relevant articles, summarising key points and saving you time.
Time Constraints
Balancing studies, projects, and exam preparations can be tough.
✨ AI Solution:
AI tools streamline the literature review process, allowing you to complete tasks efficiently and meet deadlines.
Synthesising Information
Drawing connections between various studies can be challenging.
✨ AI Solution:
Elicit assists in organising findings and synthesising information, making it easier to create a coherent narrative.
Finding Reliable Sources
Identifying trustworthy literature is crucial for academic credibility.
✨ AI Solution:
AI-powered tools help you locate reputable sources, ensuring your research is built on solid foundations.
Understanding Research Methodologies
Navigating different research methodologies can be confusing.
✨ AI Solution:
Elicit offers insights into various methods, enabling you to choose the best approach for your project.
Best Practices for Using AI Tools
Use Elicit to set clear research questions.
Regularly update your literature database with new findings.
Engage with peer-reviewed articles for credible sources.
Take notes directly in Elicit to streamline your writing process.
Maintain ethical standards by citing all sources accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elicit and how does it work?
Elicit is an AI-powered research tool that helps students streamline their literature reviews. It assists in finding relevant articles, summarising key findings, and organising data for easy retrieval, making it an invaluable resource for BSc and MSc students.
Is Elicit free or paid?
Elicit offers both free and paid plans. The free version provides essential features, while the paid plan unlocks advanced functionalities, making it accessible for students on a budget.
Can AI tools ensure academic integrity?
Yes, AI tools like Elicit can promote academic integrity by helping you find and cite reliable sources accurately. However, it's crucial to maintain ethical standards by properly referencing all materials used in your research.
How can AI tools improve my research quality?
AI tools enhance research quality by providing access to a wide range of literature, enabling effective synthesis of information, and guiding you in choosing appropriate methodologies, all of which contribute to a more robust research outcome.
Are there alternative tools to Elicit?
Yes, there are several alternatives like Mendeley, Zotero, and EndNote. However, Elicit is particularly user-friendly for literature reviews, making it a top choice for BSc and MSc Sciences students.
How do I start using Elicit?
To start using Elicit, simply create an account on their website. Once registered, you can begin exploring its features, such as literature searches, note-taking, and data organisation for your research needs.
How can I balance research with other studies?
Using AI tools can significantly reduce the time spent on literature reviews, allowing you to balance your research with other academic commitments. Prioritising tasks and using time management techniques will also help.
What if I can't afford Elicit's premium features?
If Elicit's premium features are beyond your budget, the free version offers many essential tools. Additionally, explore university libraries or institutional subscriptions that may provide access to premium research tools.
How to Use AI for Literature Review and Research: BSc/MSc Sciences Step-by-Step Guide
Total time: 8-12 hours
Define Your Research Question Precisely
15 minStart by writing your research question in natural language instead of keywords. For example, instead of 'enzyme kinetics', write 'What factors affect enzyme activity in bacterial cultures at different pH levels?' Use Elicit's suggestions to refine your question further. A precise question improves AI screening and data extraction accuracy significantly.
Tool: Elicit Find PapersSearch and Gather Relevant Papers
30-45 minEnter your research question into Elicit's search across 125+ million papers. Review the top 8 results with AI-generated summaries. Apply filters for publication date, study type, and citation count to refine results. Load additional papers beyond initial results. You can combine papers from Elicit Search with PDFs you upload from your institute library or personal collection.
Tool: Elicit Find Papers and LibrarySet Up Screening Criteria and Pilot Test
20-30 minDefine inclusion and exclusion criteria based on your research protocol. For a systematic review, Elicit autosuggests screening criteria. Test these criteria on a pilot set of 20-30 papers first. This ensures your criteria are precise before running AI screening on your entire dataset. Adjust criteria if needed based on pilot results.
Tool: Elicit Systematic Review WorkflowRun AI Screening and Data Extraction
2-4 hoursLaunch Elicit's AI screening on your full paper set. The system screens titles and abstracts automatically, achieving 96.4% recall while saving 80% of manual screening time. Define data extraction columns for key findings, experimental parameters, and results. Elicit extracts data with 94-99% accuracy. Review and verify extracted data for critical findings.
Tool: Elicit Systematic Review Screening and Data ExtractionGenerate Research Report and Organize References
30-45 minElicit generates a comprehensive research report synthesizing all extracted data, identifying patterns, and creating a structured narrative. Export this report for your viva, placement interview, or NET exam preparation. Organize all references in your Elicit Library with collections and tags for future use. Save the report as your literature review document.
Tool: Elicit Research Report and LibraryBest AI Tools for Literature Review and Research: BSc/MSc Sciences Students
| Tool | Best For | Pricing | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElicitTop PickFree tier | Systematic reviews and data extraction for empirical sciences research with 50+ papers. Ideal for NET exam prep and research projects requiring structured data extraction. | Free plan available; Pro plan starts at $10/month; Team plans for collaborative research | 4.5/5 | Best choice for BSc/MSc Sciences students needing AI-powered screening, extraction, and report generation with 94-99% accuracy. |
| ZoteroFree tier | Reference management and organization. Works well for collecting and organizing papers but lacks AI-powered screening and extraction features. | Free for basic use; 300GB storage plan at $20/year | 4.3/5 | Use Zotero for reference organization and import your library into Elicit for AI-powered analysis. |
| Google ScholarFree tier | Free paper discovery and citation tracking. Limited to basic search and no data extraction or screening features. | Free | 4/5 | Use Google Scholar for initial paper discovery, then import results into Elicit for systematic analysis and extraction. |
BSc/MSc Sciences Context: What You Need to Know
When You Need This Most
BSc/MSc Sciences students need literature review tools most during research project semesters (typically 5th-6th semester for BSc, 3rd-4th semester for MSc) and during CSIR-UGC NET exam preparation. Viva season and placement interview preparation also demand quick access to organized, synthesized research.
Career Relevance
Strong literature review and research skills directly impact placement success at research institutes like IISER, NCBS, IIT research labs, and pharmaceutical companies. NET exam performance depends on deep understanding of research literature. Employers value candidates who can quickly synthesize complex research and communicate findings clearly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using only keyword-based searches instead of semantic search, missing relevant papers that use different terminology but address the same research question
- ✗Manually extracting data from 50+ papers without AI assistance, introducing errors and wasting 40+ hours that could be spent on actual research or exam prep
- ✗Neglecting to organize references properly, leading to lost citations and duplicates during viva preparation or when writing research reports
India-Specific Context
For Indian students targeting CSIR-UGC NET exams, strong literature review skills are essential for the exam and interview rounds. Research institutes and pharmaceutical companies prioritize candidates with published research or strong research portfolios. Using AI tools like Elicit demonstrates technical competency and research efficiency, both valued in competitive placements at organizations like CSIR labs, DBT-funded institutes, and multinational pharma companies.
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