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.
This guide covers CiteFlow. Check requirements and download options before you begin.
On this page
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 like with like
Suppose one paper studies adults after one week and another studies adolescents after six months. Different results may reflect different populations or follow-up periods. Record those differences beside the source-linked passages before writing that the papers disagree. This is an illustrative comparison, not a conclusion about real research.
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.
-
Use the same labels in your notes
For each paper, use short labels such as Who was studied, Method, Result and Limit in your own notes. Add a sentence about why the passage matters to your question. This makes the two papers easier to compare.
-
Add evidence under each heading
In the intended PDF pane, select Note, click beside the passage, enter the evidence and your interpretation, then choose Save. Record the PDF position and checked printed label. Confirm that the note marker is on the correct paper and page. Use Copy separately when you also want the passage in Citation History.
-
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.