Quickly map connections between research papers, discover key authors, and spot gaps in the literature — without running dozens of separate searches.

Literature mapping tools help you explore how research papers are connected — visually and conceptually. They show relationships between papers based on citations, topics, or author networks, helping you discover relevant literature, spot gaps, and understand research landscapes.

These tools are different from traditional search engines or research assistants — their strength is in visualising connections, not summarising or answering questions.

How these tools use AI
Popular Literature Mapping Tools
Comparison at a glance
Freemium models and fair use
Data coverage: what’s in — and what’s missing?
Reproducibility limitations
What these tools don’t replace

Need help?

Need advice on searching, evaluating sources, or using AI tools responsibly? Contact us at library@abertay.ac.uk.

You may also find these pages useful:

  • GenAI Research Assistants – Tools that help you summarise research papers and answer research questions.
  • Search and Discovery Tools – Find the best academic search engines and databases for reliable research.
  • Evaluating AI Outputs – Learn how to check whether AI-generated content is accurate and reliable.

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