Short answer
Open two papers beside each other. Compare the same question, method, result, and limitation in both. Keep each note linked to its page so you can check the evidence before you write a conclusion.
When to use this method
Use this method when two papers discuss the same question and you need to see where they agree, differ, or leave a gap.
Before you start
Add both PDFs to the same project. Write one comparison question. A method explains how a study was carried out. A result reports what it found. A limitation explains what the result cannot safely show.
Compare the same points in both papers
Choose Open Side-by-Side
In the project library, open the first paper's menu and choose Open Side-by-Side. You should see Choose side-by-side source.
Choose the second paper
Select the other source. Check both titles before reading. You should see one paper in each pane.
Create the same headings
Make headings or tags for population, method, result, limitation, and relevance. Use the same set for both papers.
Add evidence under each heading
Select a useful passage and save a source-linked note. You should be able to reopen the exact paper and page from the note.
Write only after checking both pages
Separate the authors' claims from your interpretation. Group agreement, disagreement, and missing evidence. Reopen both source pages before you keep a synthesis statement.
Comparison errors
- Comparing only abstracts
- Treating semantic similarity as agreement
- Treating different populations or methods as equivalent
- Writing synthesis claims without reopening cited pages
Checkpoint: Synthesis checks
- Use the same population, method, result, limitation and relevance fields for every paper.
- Confirm both PDF titles before using the two-document comparison.
- Label author claims, observed results and your interpretation separately.
- Trace each synthesis statement to linked passages and record unresolved contradictions.
CiteFlow
Compare two local PDFs while source-linked notes preserve differences in question, method, result and limitation.