Gallery
Share
Explore

AI Research Tools Guide

⁠
Perplexity.ai
⁠
⁠
Merlin
Chat GPT
⁠
Otio
⁠
.ai
Meta.ia
Gemini.google.com

⁠
image.png
⁠
​
image.png
⁠
⁠



⁠
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/openais-chatgpt-search-new-era-peter-sigurdson-zzzbe/
⁠
⁠

Guide to AI Research Tools and Effective Prompting Strategies

1. Tool Access and Setup

Merlin

- **Type**: Chrome browser extension - **Access**: Install from Chrome Web Store - **Setup**: 1. Search for "Merlin AI" in Chrome Web Store 2. Click "Add to Chrome" 3. Complete authentication process - **Activation**: Alt + M (Windows) or Option + M (Mac) - **Free Tier**: 30 queries per day - **Pro Features**: Available with subscription

⁠
Perplexity.ai
⁠
⁠

- **Type**: Web-based research platform - **Access**: https://www.perplexity.ai - **Setup**: 1. Create account using email or Google sign-in 2. Optional Pro subscription for Claude model access - **Key Feature**: Real-time web search integration - **Pro Advantage**: More detailed responses and academic sources

Otio.ai

- **Type**: Research organization platform - **Access**: https://otio.ai - **Setup**: 1. Register for account 2. Install browser extension if available - **Key Feature**: Knowledge mapping and organization - **Best For**: Creating research hierarchies and connections

Google Notebook LM

- **Type**: Web-based research notebook - **Access**: https://notebooklm.google.com/ - **Setup**: 1. Sign in with Google account 2. Request access if needed - **Key Feature**: Integration with Google's AI models - **Best For**: Technical documentation and code exploration

⁠
Meta.ai
⁠
⁠


Google Gemini

You.com

Claude.ai

- **Type**: Web-based AI assistant - **Access**: https://claude.ai - **Setup**: 1. Create Anthropic account 2. Verify email - **Key Feature**: Long context window and technical expertise - **Best For**: Detailed technical discussions and documentation

2. Effective Prompting Strategies

#### General Prompting Best Practices

1. **Set Expert Context** ``` You are an expert in Microsoft Server Administration and Azure Cloud Infrastructure. Please help me understand... ```
2. **Define Output Format** ``` Please provide your response in LaTeX format, using appropriate sections and subsections... ```
3. **Specify Depth and Scope** ``` Provide a detailed technical explanation suitable for a DevOps engineer, including code examples and architecture diagrams... ```
4. **Request Citations** ``` Include relevant Microsoft documentation references and industry best practices in your response... ```
#### Tool-Specific Prompting
1. **Merlin** - Best for quick fact-checking while browsing - Use specific, targeted questions - Example: ``` Compare the requirements for Azure Administrator (AZ-104) and Azure DevOps Engineer (AZ-400) certifications ```
2. **Perplexity.ai** - Best for research with current web data - Use multi-part queries - Example: ``` Find recent job postings requiring Microsoft certifications. Analyze salary ranges and required experience levels. Present data in a table format. ```
3. **Claude.ai** - Best for technical depth and LaTeX formatting - Use structured prompts - Example: ``` Create a LaTeX-formatted technical document explaining Azure Active Directory implementation. Include: 1. Architecture overview 2. Security considerations 3. Implementation steps 4. Best practices ```

3. Context Window Optimization
Interactive Content Recycling ​1. **Initial Query** - Start with broad topic overview - Request outline format - Example: ``` Create an outline for implementing hybrid identity with Azure AD Connect ```
2. **Iterative Refinement** - Reference previous response - Add specific requirements - Example: ``` Based on the outline you provided, please expand section 3 about authentication methods. Include specific PowerShell examples. ```
3. **Content Integration** - Combine multiple responses - Request formatting consistency - Example: ``` I have two sections about Azure AD authentication. Please combine them into a coherent LaTeX document section, maintaining consistent formatting. ```
#### Best Practices for Long-Form Content
1. **Chunking Strategy** - Break large topics into manageable segments - Maintain consistent formatting across chunks - Use clear section references
2. **Content Management** - Keep track of section numbers and references - Maintain a master outline - Regular content validation
3. **LaTeX Integration** ```latex \section{Research Findings} \subsection{Authentication Methods} % Content from AI response \subsection{Implementation Steps} % Content from AI response ```
### 4. Quality Control Checklist
#### Research Validation - [ ] Cross-reference information across multiple AI tools - [ ] Verify technical information with Microsoft documentation - [ ] Check certification requirements against official sources - [ ] Validate job market data with current postings
#### Documentation Quality - [ ] Consistent LaTeX formatting - [ ] Proper citation structure - [ ] Clear code examples - [ ] Professional diagrams
#### Content Integration - [ ] Logical flow between AI-generated sections - [ ] Consistent terminology - [ ] Proper cross-referencing - [ ] Complete bibliography
### 5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. **Research Mistakes** - Relying on single AI tool - Not verifying technical information - Ignoring context window limitations - Not saving important responses
2. **Documentation Errors** - Inconsistent formatting - Missing citations - Incomplete code examples - Poor section organization
3. **Tool Usage Issues** - Vague prompts - Ignoring tool specialties - Poor content management - Inadequate verification
### 6. Final Tips
1. **Research Efficiency** - Use multiple tools in parallel - Save important prompts and responses - Maintain organized research notes - Regular progress commits
2. **Quality Assurance** - Regular peer reviews - Technical validation - Format consistency checks - Citation verification
3. **Time Management** - Schedule regular research sessions - Plan for tool downtime - Allow time for verification - Regular backups
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.