How to Search and Organize Research Papers in the AI Era

(A Practical Guide Inspired by My Friend LEE Jeong-su)

Before diving into the details, I want to express my deep gratitude to my friend LEE Jeong-su for generously sharing these valuable tips. This guide will help you efficiently discover and organize academic papers, especially in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.

1. Search Core Keywords in English on Google (Add “arxiv”)

When searching for a specific topic, use English keywords on Google for broader and more in-depth results.
After your main keyword, type a space followed by “arxiv” to find recent or emerging research papers.
- Example: "AI voice dubbing" arxiv

This tactic helps you locate the newest and most relevant preprints or published papers in your field of interest.

2. Gather Papers from the First Search Page in Priority Order

Once you see the results, prioritize which papers to download and read based on the following criteria:

Recency: Is it a newly published or posted paper?
Affiliation: Is it from a reputable university or company?
Venue: Was it accepted at a top-tier conference or journal?
Citation Count: Is it frequently cited by others?

Filename Convention

Rename each downloaded PDF using simple keywords that reflect the paper’s core topic.
Add square brackets [] at the front to categorize them more systematically.
- Example: [AI-Voice] Neural Dubbing Techniques.pdf

3. Set Up Google Notebook LM (Referred to as “LM”) and Create a Folder

Create a folder named after the paper’s primary goal or subject.
- Tip: A descriptive folder name makes it easier to navigate and keep related papers together.

4. Upload the Selected Papers

Simply upload the PDFs you’ve chosen into the designated folder. This will help you keep your research materials organized and easily accessible.

5. Ask LM, “What is the core idea of this paper?”

Use LM to get a quick, synthesized summary of the paper’s main contributions. This can save you time and help you decide if you want to explore the paper more deeply.

6. After Reading LM’s Summary, Open the Original Paper and Check the Abstract & Key Figures

Abstract: Usually found on the first page, it summarizes the research objectives, methods, and key results.
Key Figures: Often located within the first two pages, these visuals quickly convey the paper’s main findings or methodology.

7. For Anything You Don’t Understand, Ask LM for Further Clarification

If a particular concept or method is unclear, ask LM follow-up questions to deepen your understanding without diving into the entire paper immediately.

8. If Your Curiosity is Still Not Satisfied or LM’s Explanation Isn’t Enough, Read the Original Paper

At this stage, it’s time to go through the specific sections or the entire paper for more in-depth analysis.
Use LM as a companion for difficult sections, asking for definitions, examples, or re-explanations in simpler terms.

9. Always Ask LM, “How Was This Verified?” (Verification/Validation)

Understanding the paper’s evaluation or validation methods is crucial.
Knowing how the authors tested their hypotheses or models helps you gauge the research’s credibility and relevance.

10. When You’re Satisfied with Your Understanding

Read the Conclusion and Limitations at the end of the paper. These sections reveal the paper’s final takeaways and potential weaknesses or future directions.
Check the References—especially if they mention additional studies related to your interests. Save these for further reading, applying the same search and organization process.

11. Repeat and Expand

As you accumulate more papers in your folder, you can start asking broader or more detailed questions.
This iterative approach fosters deeper insights and a clearer understanding of the overall research landscape.