Paperguide Blog

Zotero vs Paperpile: Detailed Comparison (2026)

Choosing between Zotero and Paperpile is less about features and more about research workflow preference. Zotero is built around open-source flexibility, offline ownership, and long-term academic workflows. Paperpile is designed for researchers who live inside Google Docs, Google Drive, and browser-first collaboration environments. Both handle core reference management tasks well, but they approach storage, collaboration, citation management, and workflow design very differently. During testin

By Roop Reddy — 4 May 2026

7 Best Mendeley Alternatives for Modern Research Workflows in 2026

Mendeley remains one of the most widely used free reference managers in academic research. By 2026 the platform still draws millions of researchers thanks to its 2GB free storage tier, polished cross-platform apps, Mendeley Cite plug-in for Microsoft Word, and a clean PDF reader that made Mendeley a default early-career choice for life-sciences and medical researchers. The reality for many researchers in 2026 is that Mendeley still works as a competent reference manager but has fallen behind th

By Roop Reddy — 1 May 2026

Primary vs Secondary Sources in Research: Differences and Examples

Understanding the distinction between primary and secondary sources is fundamental to conducting rigorous research. A primary source is original material created at the time of the event or phenomenon being studied, such as a laboratory experiment, survey data, historical document, or interview. A secondary source is an interpretation, analysis, or summary of primary sources, such as a literature review, textbook chapter, or research article that discusses others' findings. The ability to distin

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 23 Apr 2026

How to Write a Discussion Section: Interpretation, Limitations and Implications

The discussion section of a research paper is where you explain what your results mean, how they relate to existing evidence, what limitations affect their interpretation, and what implications they have for theory, practice, or future research. Unlike the results section, which reports the data, the discussion interprets the data. It is the section where you transition from presenting facts to making arguments, connecting your findings to the broader body of knowledge and explaining why they ma

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 23 Apr 2026

How to Write a Research Paper Introduction: Structure and Examples (CARS Model)

The introduction of a research paper establishes the context for the study, identifies the research gap, and presents the research question or objectives that the study will address. It is the first substantive section the reader encounters after the abstract, and its purpose is to convince the reader that the study is necessary, well-positioned within the existing literature, and clearly focused. A strong introduction takes the reader on a logical path from broad context to specific purpose in

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 23 Apr 2026

How to Write a Research Rationale: Definition, Examples & Justification

A research rationale is the section of a proposal, thesis, or manuscript that explains why the study is necessary and what contribution it will make to existing knowledge. It answers the question every reviewer and reader will ask: why does this study matter? The rationale connects the identified research gap to the purpose of the study, providing the logical justification for conducting the research rather than leaving the gap unaddressed. [1] The rationale is often the deciding factor in whet

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 23 Apr 2026

Publication Bias: Funnel Plots, Egger's Test + Prevention

Publication bias occurs when the results of a study influence whether it is published, creating a systematic distortion in the available evidence. Studies with statistically significant, positive, or novel findings are more likely to be published than studies with null, negative, or inconclusive results. When a systematic review or meta-analysis draws only from published literature, the pooled effect estimate may overestimate the true effect because the studies that found smaller or no effects a

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 23 Apr 2026

Effect Size Explained: Cohen's d, Hedges' g, OR + RR Guide

Effect size is a quantitative measure of the magnitude of a phenomenon, relationship, or difference observed in a study. While statistical significance tells you whether an effect exists (whether the null hypothesis can be rejected), effect size tells you how large that effect is and whether it matters in practice. A study may yield a statistically significant p-value even when the actual effect is negligible, or it may produce a non-significant p-value despite a meaningful effect, simply becaus

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 23 Apr 2026

How to Conduct a Narrative Review: Step-by-Step Guide With Examples

A narrative review is a type of literature review that synthesizes and interprets existing research on a topic by organizing findings thematically rather than following the strict, protocol-driven methodology of a systematic review. Narrative reviews are the most common type of review article in academic publishing because they allow authors to draw on their expertise to provide a broad, interpretive overview of a research area, identify patterns and contradictions across studies, and develop ne

By Corne Lombard — 16 Apr 2026

How to Write the Background of a Study: Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

The background of a study is the opening section of a research paper or thesis that establishes what is already known about the topic, identifies what remains unknown, and explains why the current study is needed. It provides readers with enough context to understand the research problem without requiring them to read every source the author consulted. A well-written background moves from broad context to a specific gap, setting up the research question or hypothesis that follows. [1] Writing t

By Corne Lombard — 16 Apr 2026

How to Assess Risk of Bias: RoB 2, ROBINS-I + QUADAS-2

Risk of bias assessment is the process of evaluating whether the design, conduct, or analysis of a study may have distorted its results. Every systematic review includes a risk of bias assessment because flawed studies can produce misleading conclusions, and without a formal evaluation, reviewers have no structured way to distinguish trustworthy evidence from evidence that may be compromised by methodological weaknesses. The three most widely used tools are the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) fo

By Corne Lombard — 16 Apr 2026

Scoping Review vs Systematic Review: Differences With Examples (2026)

A scoping review and a systematic review are both forms of evidence synthesis that follow structured, transparent methodologies, but they serve fundamentally different purposes. A scoping review maps the breadth and nature of available evidence on a broad topic, while a systematic review synthesizes and appraises evidence to answer a specific, focused question. Choosing the wrong type wastes months of work and produces a review that does not match what journals, funders, or guideline panels expe

By Shaantanu Kulkarni — 16 Apr 2026