Research Tools

AI Research Tools

Consensus is an AI-powered academic search engine designed to streamline and enhance the research process for students, faculty, and researchers. Built on the extensive Semantic Scholar database, which encompasses over 200 million peer-reviewed documents, Consensus leverages artificial intelligence to surface the most relevant research findings in response to user queries. Unlike traditional search engines that simply provide a list of links, Consensus extracts key insights and evidence directly from academic papers, offering concise, evidence-based summaries and always citing original sources.

The platform supports both keyword and conversational searches, enabling users to efficiently locate, analyse, and synthesise scholarly literature across all domains of science. Advanced features such as AI-powered search filters, study snapshots, and synthesis tools help users quickly assess research quality, identify highly cited or rigorous studies, and gain a comprehensive overview of the literature. Consensus is particularly valuable for conducting literature reviews, finding supporting evidence for academic writing, exploring new research questions, developing hypotheses, and identifying research gaps.

Please register an account using your HKSYU email address to access premium features of Consensus.

Scite is an advanced, AI-powered research platform that enhances scholarly discovery and evaluation through its innovative Smart Citations technology. Unlike traditional citation indexes, Scite not only tracks how frequently research articles are cited but also analyses the context and intent of each citation. It categorises citations as supporting, contrasting, or merely mentioning the original work, thereby offering a deeper understanding of a publication’s impact and credibility.

The platform offers robust tools for literature search and citation analysis. Features include visual citation maps, interactive dashboards, and real-time alerts for new citations or editorial notices. Scite also offers an AI Research Assistant, which generates evidence-based answers to research queries. Scite’s Reference Check function helps researchers verify the reliability of their sources by identifying retracted or disputed references, thus supporting research integrity. Additionally, Scite integrates with popular citation management tools and provides browser extensions for seamless access to citation data across the web.

By combining a comprehensive database of over 1.2 billion citation statements with advanced AI and natural language processing, Scite empowers researchers, students, and academics to make informed decisions, streamline literature reviews, and ensure the quality of their scholarly work.

Please register an account using your HKSYU email to access features such as notifications, Assistant history, and dashboards.

Discover@ShueYan Research Assistant is a generative AI-powered research tool designed to enhance academic discovery by enabling users to conduct intuitive natural language searches across extensive library resources. Developed by Clarivate in collaboration with the library community, it leverages advanced semantic search technology and a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture grounded in the Ex Libris Central Discovery Index, which includes over 5 billion records from thousands of publishers and repositories.

The assistant provides immediate, AI-generated answers supported by references to the top five most relevant scholarly sources, facilitating quick comprehension and easy access to full texts. It also offers search suggestions to help users broaden their research scope and supports queries in multiple languages. By combining reliable, peer-reviewed academic content with transparent sourcing, Discover@ShueYan Research Assistant aims to support students and researchers in efficiently navigating complex information landscapes with confidence and precision.

Citation Management Tools

EndNote is a library-subscribed citation management software designed to assist researchers, students, and academics in efficiently organising, storing, and citing bibliographic references throughout the research and writing process. It enables users to collect references from various sources, including databases and library catalogues, and supports the management of PDFs, images, and other research materials within customisable libraries.

EndNote integrates seamlessly with word processing programs such as Microsoft Word through its Cite While You Write feature, allowing automatic insertion and formatting of citations and bibliographies in thousands of citation styles. This automation streamlines the creation of scholarly documents, saving time and enhancing accuracy in referencing. EndNote is widely adopted in academic institutions and is available on multiple platforms, offering both desktop and web-based versions to facilitate research collaboration and accessibility across devices.

Mendeley is a free, cross-platform citation management software developed by Elsevier that facilitates the organisation, storage, and citation of research materials. It enables users to build a personal digital library, manage and annotate PDFs, and automatically generate bibliographies and in-text citations in various referencing styles. Additionally, Mendeley supports collaboration through shared groups, allowing researchers to connect and work together efficiently. Its compatibility across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms, along with seamless integration with word processing software like Microsoft Word and LibreOffice, ensures broad accessibility and supports efficient academic workflows across devices.

Please refer to the official User Guides for more details. Note that the free version offers limited storage.

Zotero is a free, open-source citation management tool designed to assist researchers in collecting, organising, citing, and sharing a wide range of research materials, including books, articles, reports, and web pages. It supports multiple operating systems such as Windows, Mac, and Linux, and integrates seamlessly with word processors like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice to facilitate the creation of in-text citations and bibliographies in numerous citation styles.

Zotero also enables users to manage their research libraries effectively through features such as tagging, folder organisation, and collaborative group libraries, making it a versatile tool for academic research and writing. Its browser extension allows for quick capture of bibliographic information from online sources, enhancing research efficiency and accuracy.

Generative AI Tools

HKSYU ChatGPT is a secure and private AI-powered chatbot platform developed using Microsoft Azure OpenAI services, exclusively accessible to the University community including faculty, staff, and students. Introduced in August 2023 as part of a one-year pilot run, this platform supports the University’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into teaching, learning, and research while upholding academic integrity and user privacy. Unlike publicly available AI tools, HKSYU ChatGPT does not use users’ prompts for model training, and users have control over their chat history. The service is designed to enhance digital literacy and foster ethical AI use, providing token-based monthly usage quotas to staff and students to facilitate responsible and effective engagement with generative AI technology. This initiative aligns with the University’s vision to innovate liberal arts education through digital technology and prepare students with essential future skills in the digital era.

Microsoft Copilot is an advanced AI assistant designed to enhance productivity and streamline workflows across various Microsoft platforms. By leveraging Large Language Models such as GPT-4 and proprietary Microsoft AI, Copilot integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications-including Windows OS, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams-to provide real-time, context-aware support. It assists users by generating content, offering intelligent suggestions, automating routine tasks, and summarising information based on user prompts. This AI-powered tool personalises responses while maintaining strict adherence to data privacy and security standards, thereby facilitating efficient collaboration and decision-making in professional and academic environments.

Please log in to your HKSYU email account to access Microsoft Copilot.

Journal Evaluation Tool

Journal Citation Reports (JCR) is a comprehensive, publisher-neutral resource that provides objective data and analysis to evaluate and compare the world’s leading academic journals. Drawing on citation data from the Web of Science Core Collection, JCR offers key metrics such as the Journal Impact Factor, total citations, and journal rankings across more than 21,000 journals in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Users can use JCR to:

• Assess a journal’s influence and impact within its field
• Compare journals based on citation metrics and subject categories
• Identify the most appropriate journals for publishing research
• Support collection development and research evaluation decisions

JCR’s transparent and systematic approach helps users make informed decisions about manuscript submission, journal selection, and research assessment by providing quantifiable, statistical information based on citation data.

Scopus is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary abstract and citation database that provides access to a vast collection of peer-reviewed journal articles, books, conference proceedings, trade journals, and patent records across science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and the arts and humanities. It offers powerful tools for tracking, analysing, and visualising research trends, as well as evaluating scholarly impact through citation metrics such as the h-index and CiteScore. Scopus is widely used for literature searches, identifying influential publications and authors, and supporting research, teaching, and strategic decision-making in academic and professional settings.

Language Learning Tools

BBC Learning English is a reputable educational platform provided by the BBC World Service, offering a wide array of free resources for English language learners at all proficiency levels. Since its establishment in 1943, the platform has developed high-quality audio, video, and written materials that cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening skills. Its structured courses and popular features such as “6 Minute English” and “The English We Speak” are designed to engage learners and support both independent study and classroom instruction.

All content on BBC Learning English is produced by experienced English language teaching specialists, ensuring both academic rigour and practical relevance. The platform’s flexible, multimedia approach makes it an invaluable resource for students seeking to improve their English, as well as for faculty and staff who wish to supplement their teaching with authentic, real-world language materials.

ClarityEnglish is a leading provider of innovative online English language learning solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of programs designed to support learners at various stages of their academic and professional journeys. Among its flagship offerings, “Tense Buster” stands out as a robust grammar tool, helping learners master 33 key grammar areas across five proficiency levels through interactive activities and self-assessment tools. “Study Skills Success” is tailored for students focusing on essential academic skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, research, and critical thinking through engaging, video-led units.

Additionally, ClarityEnglish offers “Practical Writing,” which equips learners with the skills to communicate effectively in both academic and everyday contexts by guiding them in structuring messages, selecting appropriate vocabulary, and adapting writing styles. The “Clear Pronunciation 1 & 2” programs provide structured training in the recognition and production of English sounds, stress patterns, connected speech, and intonation, with options to practice Australian, British, or North American English accents. Finally, “Road to IELTS (Academic)” delivers a comprehensive, interactive preparation platform featuring timed practice tests, expert tutorials, and a computer-delivered IELTS simulator, making it an invaluable resource for achieving success in the IELTS examination.

Please note that access to ClarityEnglish is limited to a maximum of 5 concurrent users. Users are required to register an account to access ClarityEnglish programs.

Survey Tool for Research

Qualtrics is a sophisticated, cloud-based survey platform widely utilised in academic research for designing, distributing, and analysing surveys within a single integrated environment. It offers an extensive variety of question types and advanced customisation options such as skip logic, randomisation, and respondent screening, enabling researchers to tailor surveys precisely to their study requirements. The platform supports diverse distribution methods, including email, anonymous links, QR codes, and social media, facilitating broad and flexible respondent engagement. Qualtrics also provides robust data analysis tools, real-time reporting dashboards, and export capabilities in multiple formats, enhancing the efficiency and depth of research insights. Its features extend to predictive intelligence and expert review functionalities that improve survey quality and response rates.