Perplexity vs SciSpace for Scientific Research: Which is best to use?

Science Grad School Coach
31 Oct 202311:14

TLDRThis video compares Perplexity AI and SciSpace for scientific research purposes. Perplexity AI is a general chatbot with internet access, while SciSpace is designed for scientific research papers, offering a more structured approach with tables and detailed paper information. Both AIs cover the analysis of steroids using Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) and Liquid Chromatography (LC), but Perplexity provides a broader overview, including recent research and metal adduction. The video suggests using both AIs for comprehensive research and always verifying AI-generated information with the original articles.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 Perplexity AI and SciSpace are compared for their utility in scientific research.
  • 📚 SciSpace is specialized for scientific research papers, offering discovery, information generation, and summarization.
  • 🤖 Perplexity is a general chatbot enhanced by internet connectivity, but not specifically designed for scientific research.
  • 🎯 The focus of the comparison is on how each tool handles a technical question about ion mobility spectrometry in steroid isomer analysis.
  • 🔎 Perplexity provides a broad overview with citations but has some redundancy in its response.
  • 🧬 SciSpace presents information in a manner similar to a research article, combining different references for a cohesive answer.
  • 📈 Both tools cover the use of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for steroid analysis, but SciSpace misses the metal adduction component.
  • 🌟 SciSpace's response is more structured like a research article, while Perplexity's is more conversational.
  • 💡 The video suggests using both AI tools for a comprehensive understanding and cross-verifying with original articles.
  • 🚀 The latest paper cited by Perplexity is from 2023, indicating it may have more recent data.
  • 📝 The importance of reading the actual research articles is emphasized over relying solely on AI-generated summaries.

Q & A

  • What is the main difference between Perplexity AI and SciSpace in terms of their intended use?

    -Perplexity AI is a more general chatbot that can find sources and information on the internet, while SciSpace is specifically designed for scientific research, including finding, generating, and summarizing information from research papers.

  • How does Perplexity AI handle the user's focus on academic content?

    -Perplexity AI allows users to set their focus to academic, which helps to refine the search results and provide a closer comparison relevant to academic research.

  • What analytical technique is discussed in the video for analyzing steroid isomers?

    -Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is the analytical technique discussed for analyzing steroid isomers.

  • How does SciSpace present the search results?

    -SciSpace presents the search results with included citations, providing a more detailed and research-like format.

  • What is one limitation of using Perplexity AI for scientific research?

    -Perplexity AI is not specifically designed for scientific research and may not provide the most recent or comprehensive coverage of a topic.

  • What is a notable difference in the way Perplexity AI and SciSpace structure their responses?

    -Perplexity AI structures its responses in a more conversational and blog-like manner, while SciSpace structures its responses more like a research article.

  • What does the video suggest about using multiple AI sources?

    -The video suggests that using multiple AI sources, such as both Perplexity AI and SciSpace, can provide a more comprehensive overview and help identify any discrepancies or areas where the AI might be incorrect.

  • What potential issue did the video highlight with SciSpace's response?

    -The video highlighted that SciSpace's response had some duplication of information and potentially missed the metal adduction component, which is a significant area of research in steroid analysis.

  • How does the video suggest one should use AI-generated information in their research?

    -The video suggests that while AI can provide a general understanding, it is crucial to read the actual articles and not rely solely on AI-generated information for research.

  • What is the recommendation for someone looking to learn more about their field?

    -The video recommends downloading a 30-day research jump start guide to learn how to identify important papers, develop ideas, and test them based on the literature.

  • What are the two AI options mentioned in the video for enhancing the understanding of scientific research?

    -The two AI options mentioned are Perplexity AI and SciSpace, which can be used together to get a more comprehensive coverage of a topic.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Comparing AI Tools for Scientific Research

The video begins with the host intending to compare two AI tools: Perplexity AI and Scace. Perplexity AI is described as a general chatbot with internet access, while Scace is specifically designed for scientific research papers, allowing users to generate summaries from them. The host aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these tools in the context of scientific research by setting Perplexity AI to focus on academic sources and posing a question about the analysis of steroid isomers using ion mobility spectrometry. The host then proceeds to compare the insights from the top five papers provided by each tool.

05:00

📈 Analysis of Steroid Isomers using IMS: A Comparison

In this section, the host compares the responses from Perplexity AI and Scace regarding the analysis of steroid isomers using ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). Perplexity AI provides a list of papers with brief insights, including studies on targeted derivatization, liquid chromatography coupled with IMS, and the use of metal ion induction for separation. However, the host notes some duplication in the response and a lack of the most recent paper from 2021. Scace, on the other hand, provides a more structured answer, combining information from different references and including details such as the use of IMS as a standalone technique and its combination with LC for enhanced resolution. The host concludes that both AI tools cover the topic broadly, but there are differences in the depth and presentation of the information.

10:04

🤖 Utilizing Multiple AI Sources for Comprehensive Research

The host emphasizes the importance of using multiple AI sources for a comprehensive understanding of a research topic. While both Perplexity AI and Scace offer valuable insights, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. The host suggests using both tools to get the most comprehensive coverage and to identify any discrepancies between their responses. The host also stresses the need to verify AI-generated information against the original research articles, as AI tools should serve as aids rather than replacements for actual research. The host ends by promoting a 30-day research guide for those looking to deepen their understanding of their field.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI is a general chatbot that is connected to the internet, enabling it to find sources and provide information on a wide range of topics. In the context of the video, it is compared with SciSpace for its suitability in scientific research. The script highlights that while Perplexity AI is advanced compared to traditional chatbots, it is not specifically designed for scientific research, which is the focus of the comparison in the video.

💡SciSpace

SciSpace is a tool specifically designed for scientific research, allowing users to find, generate information from, and summarize scientific research papers. It is tailored for academic purposes and is contrasted with Perplexity AI, which, while capable, is not specialized for scientific research. The video aims to evaluate which tool is better for this purpose.

💡Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)

Ion Mobility Spectrometry is an analytical technique used to separate and analyze biomolecules like steroids and their isomers. In the video, it is the central method being discussed for analyzing steroid isomers. The script explores how IMS, when coupled with other techniques like liquid chromatography, can enhance the resolution and identification of these molecules.

💡Steroids

Steroids are a class of biomolecules that are the focus of the analytical techniques discussed in the video. They are compounds with significant biological activity and are often the subject of scientific research to understand their roles and interactions within living organisms.

💡Isomers

Isomers are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural or spatial arrangements. The video discusses the analysis of steroid isomers using IMS, emphasizing the challenge of distinguishing between different isomers due to their identical mass.

💡Liquid Chromatography (LC)

Liquid Chromatography is a technique used to separate, identify, and quantify substances in a mixture. In the video, it is coupled with IMS to enhance the resolution and analysis of steroid isomers. This combination of techniques provides a more detailed and accurate characterization of complex samples.

💡Derivatization

Derivatization is a chemical process that involves the reaction of a substance with a reagent to form a derivative, which is often more easily analyzed or detected. In the context of the video, it is used in conjunction with IMS to improve the resolution of steroid isomer analysis.

💡Metal Ion Induction

Metal Ion Induction is a process that involves the interaction of metal ions with molecules, leading to changes in their mobility and separation in analytical techniques like IMS. In the video, it is mentioned as a method used to separate steroid glucoronide isomers, contributing to the identification and analysis of these molecules.

💡Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)

Tandem Mass Spectrometry, also known as MS/MS, is a technique that involves two stages of mass spectrometry analysis to provide more detailed information about the molecular structure of substances. In the video, it is mentioned as a method used in conjunction with IMS to analyze steroid isomers, enhancing the identification capabilities.

💡Twims

Traveling Wave Ion Mobility Spectrometry (Twims) is a variant of IMS that uses a traveling wave to separate ions based on their mobility. In the video, Twims is discussed as a method used to separate multimer metal adducts of isomers, demonstrating its potential for rapid analysis of biological samples.

💡Literature Review

A literature review is a comprehensive summary and analysis of existing research on a specific topic. In the video, the comparison between Perplexity AI and SciSpace is framed as a way to generate a literature review for the analysis of steroid isomers using IMS. The script discusses the quality and presentation of the information provided by each tool in this context.

Highlights

Perplexity AI and SciSpace are compared for their effectiveness in scientific research.

SciSpace is specifically designed for scientific research papers, offering information generation and summarization.

Perplexity is a general chatbot with internet connectivity, capable of finding sources and avoiding hallucination issues.

The focus is set to academic for a more accurate comparison between Perplexity and SciSpace.

A question about ion mobility spectrometry analysis of steroid isomers is posed to both AIs.

Perplexity provides a list of papers with citations, but includes duplications in its response.

SciSpace presents a more combined and less repetitive response, resembling a research article's structure.

Both AIs cover the analysis of steroids by ion mobility, but Perplexity includes more recent research.

SciSpace misses the metal adduction component, a significant area of research in steroid analysis.

Perplexity's response includes a broader range of methods, such as derivatization and tandem MPC.

SciSpace's response is more structured, providing a research article-like format with tables and specific information on papers.

Using both AIs can provide a more comprehensive overview and highlight discrepancies for further investigation.

It is essential to verify AI-generated information against the original articles before incorporating it into research.

The video encourages the use of multiple AI sources for a well-rounded understanding of a topic.

A 30-day research jump start guide is recommended for those new to a field to learn effectively.

The video concludes by advocating for the use of both Perplexity and SciSpace for the best results.