Supporting Users in Review and Analysis of Academic Literature

Robert E. Wray, Elizabeth T. Whitaker, Dawn Riddle, Tyree Cowell, Timothy Siggins, Ethan Brantley Trewhitt

Abstract: Today, information search and retrieval tools are ubiquitous and powerful. However, there is comparably little investment in helping users with analysis of materials found via search. This paper introduces a software tool designed to help individuals and teams improve their ability to examine and to use the results of search. The existing tool focuses on literature review and analysis and emphasizes support for users who are building an initial mental model of a domain new to them. The paper describe rationales and goals for helping users perform literature searches, current implementation and features, preliminary user feedback, and future work.