Dec 18, 2024 |
3 Mins Read
Responsible AI In Research And Why It Matters
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how we live, work, and learn. However, as AI continues to evolve, it is important to ensure it is developed and used responsibly. In this blog, we’ll explore what responsible AI means, why it is essential, and how tools like ZAIA, Zendy's AI assistant for researchers, implement these principles in the academic sector. What Is Responsible AI? Responsible AI, also known as ethical AI refers to building and using AI tools guided by key principles: Fairness Reliability Safety Privacy and Security Inclusiveness Transparency Accountability AI vs Responsible AI: Why Does Responsible AI Matter? Keep in mind that AI is not a human being. This means it lacks the ability to comprehend ethical standards or a sense of responsibility in the same way humans do. Therefore, ensuring these concepts are embedded in the development team before creating the tool is more important than building the tool itself. In 2016, Microsoft launched a Twitter chatbot called "Tay", a chatbot designed to entertain 18- to 24-year-olds in the US to explore the conversational capabilities of AI. Within just 16 hours, the tool's responses turned toxic, racist, and offensive due to being fed harmful and inappropriate content by some Twitter users. This led to the immediate shutdown of the project, followed by an official apology from the development team. In such cases, "Tay" lacked ethical guidelines to help it differentiate harmful content from appropriate content. For this reason, it is crucial to train AI tools on clear principles and ethical frameworks that enable them to produce more responsible outputs.The development process should also include designing robust monitoring systems to continuously review and update the databases' training, ensuring they remain free of harmful content. Overall, the more responsible the custodian is, the better the child’s behaviour will be. The Challenges And The Benefits of Responsible AI Responsible AI is not a "nice-to-have" feature, it’s a foundational set of principles that every AI-based tool must implement. Here's why: Fairness: By addressing biases, responsible AI ensures every output is relevant and fair for all society’s values. Trust: Transparency in how AI works builds trust among users. Accountability: Developers and organisations adhere to high standards, continuously improving AI tools and holding themselves accountable for their outcomes. This ensures that competition centers on what benefits communities rather than simply what generates more revenue. Implementing responsible AI comes with its share of challenges: Biased Data: AI systems often learn from historical data, which may carry biases. This can lead to skewed outcomes, like underrepresenting certain research areas or groups. Awareness Gaps: Not all developers and users understand the ethical implications of AI, making education and training critical. Time Constraints: AI tools are sometimes developed rapidly, bypassing essential ethical reviews, which increases the risk of errors. Responsible AI and ZAIA ZAIA, Zendy’s AI-powered assistant for researchers, is built with a responsible AI framework in mind. Our AI incorporates the six principles of responsible AI, fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability, to meet the needs of students, researchers, and professionals in academia. Here’s how ZAIA addresses these challenges: Fairness: ZAIA ensures balanced and unbiased recommendations, analysing academic resources from diverse disciplines and publishers. Reliability and Safety: ZAIA’s trained model is rigorously tested to provide accurate and dependable insights, minimising errors in output. Transparency: ZAIA’s functionality is clear and user-friendly, helping researchers understand and trust its outcomes. Accountability: Regular updates improve ZAIA’s features, addressing user feedback and adapting to evolving academic needs. Conclusion Responsible AI is the foundation for building ethical and fair systems that benefit everyone. ZAIA is Zendy’s commitment to this principle, encouraging users to explore research responsibly and effectively. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or professional, ZAIA provides a reliable and ethical tool to enhance your academic journey. Discover ZAIA today. Together, let’s build a future where AI serves as a trusted partner in education and beyond. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
AI is Transforming Academic Research and Publishing – A Conversation with Kamran Kardan, CEO of Zendy
AI's real potential lies not just in speeding up processes but also in helping users engage more deeply with academic content. Sabine Louët, CEO of SciencePOD sat down with Kamran Kardan, CEO of Zendy to discuss how technology, particularly AI, is reshaping the way researchers and independent scholars access critical information and how research is published. Removing Barriers in Academic Research When asked by Sabine Louët “what drove the creation of Zendy?” Kamran Kardan’s response was clear and purposeful: “Zendy was created to remove the barriers that restrict access to academic research”.He highlights the significant gap that exists for those outside privileged institutions, who often face prohibitive costs or limitations when trying to access essential research. Zendy, he says, aims to make academic content not only affordable but also widely accessible to researchers, students, and professionals globally.Accessing scientific literature remains a privilege reserved for those with institutional affiliations, leaving independent researchers or those from less-resourced regions at a disadvantage. As Kardan puts it, “Zendy is committed to levelling the playing field”, it offers a legitimate alternative to illicit means of accessing research. AI’s Role in Enhancing Research Accessibility AI has become a buzzword, but Kardan stresses the importance of AI in Zendy’s strategy, describing AI as an enabler rather than the focal point. Zendy, he explains, uses AI to enhance user experience by making vast amounts of data more navigable. One of the platform’s key AI-driven features is its summarisation tool, which allows users to quickly digest complex academic papers. With this tool, users can identify relevant content faster and focus their research efforts more effectively. A forthcoming feature called ‘findings’, will use AI to group related articles together, offering a comparative perspective on topics and highlighting differing viewpoints. This tool is designed to empower researchers to explore a topic from multiple angles without having to sift through unrelated material. Safeguarding Research Integrity in the Age of AI Another point of discussion between Sabine Louët and Kardan was the issue of integrity while also leveraging AI. Kardan acknowledges that this is critically important and explains that Zendy is built on principles of transparency and respect for intellectual property. Their AI tools do not merely extract data but give due credit to authors and publishers. In addition, the platform’s revenue-sharing model ensures that content creators benefit from the usage of their work, fostering a more sustainable and fair ecosystem for academic publishing. Kardan also addresses the issue of AI-generated inaccuracies, commonly referred to as “hallucinations”. He emphasises that Zendy's AI is structured to avoid these risks. If the AI does not have sufficient data to provide an answer, it refrains from making assumptions, thus maintaining a high standard of accuracy. AI: Not Just Speed, but Deeper Learning In Kardan’s view, AI's real potential lies not just in speeding up processes but also in helping users engage more deeply with academic content. The tools developed by Zendy are designed to simplify complex materials, making them more approachable for users across various disciplines, without compromising on the depth of information. Louët agrees and notes that these features, particularly AI-driven comparison and summarising tools, align with the needs of modern researchers who require both efficiency and reliability in handling academic content. Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Research What does the future look like? Kardan foresees more AI advancements that will continue to transform research access, making it more affordable, transparent and equitable. The focus is not just on technology for technology’s sake but on providing meaningful solutions that directly address the challenges of the academic community. “AI’s role in academic publishing is still evolving”, says Kardan, “and Zendy is committed to using AI responsibly to enhance access to knowledge, not to replace human expertise”. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Top 4 Journals Classification Systems You Should Know
If you’ve ever tried to figure out which journal is the best fit for your research or wondered how journals classification is carried out, you’ve probably come across terms like Quartiles, H-Index, Impact Factor (IF), and Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP). These metrics might sound technical, but they are simply tools to measure how much attention a journal’s research gets. Here’s a straightforward explanation of what they mean and how they work Quartiles in Journals Classification: Ranking by Performance The system of dividing journals into four quartiles, Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, was created to make it easier to compare their quality and impact within a specific field. This idea became popular through Scopus and Journal Citation Reports (JCR) databases, which rank journals based on metrics like citations. The concept builds on the work of Eugene Garfield, who introduced the Impact Factor, offering a way to see how journals stand up against others. Quartiles break things down further: Q1 represents the top 25% of journals in a category, while Q4 includes those at the lower end. It's a straightforward way to help researchers determine which journals are most influential in their areas of study. Q1: Top 25% of journals in the field (highest-ranked). Q2: 25-50% (mid-high-ranked). Q3: 50-75% (mid-low-ranked). Q4: Bottom 25% (lowest-ranked). However, not all Q3 or Q4 journals are necessarily a disadvantage. While they may not be as well-known, they are still important in scientific research. Some of the benefits include: Affordability: These journals are easier for researchers to access, especially for those on a tight budget. Focused Topics: They tend to cover more specific, niche areas of study, making them great for in-depth exploration of certain subjects. Great for New Researchers: Q3 and Q4 journals classification can be a good place for new researchers to publish their first paper and gain experience in the publishing world. Ideal for Basic Research: They’re a great option for research that focuses on the basics of science Finally, publishing your article in a Q3 or Q4 journal doesn’t mean it lacks value or won’t make an impact. If your work presents new findings that address a real problem, it can still attract attention, even when published in a lower-ranked journal. H-Index: A Balance of Quantity and Quality The H-Index score is an important factor in journal classification. It looks at the number of articles a journal has published and how often those articles are cited. It balances quantity (how many articles a journal publishes) with quality (how many of its articles are referenced). For example, if a journal has an H-Index of 15, it means it has published 15 articles, each cited at least 15 times. It’s a simple way to measure a journal’s influence without focusing too much on just one super-cited article or a bunch of rarely cited ones. How H-index works: Let’s say a journal has published 4 articles, and the number of citations for each article looks like this: The 1st article has 10 citations – exceeds 1 citation. The 2nd article has 24 citations – exceeds 2 citations. The 3rd article has 5 citations – exceeds 3 citations. The 4th article falls short of 4 citations. In this case, the journal has three articles that each have at least three citations. The fourth article doesn’t hit the mark, so the H-index stops at 3. This metric can help researchers, professionals, and institutions decide if a journal publishes research that gets noticed and cited by the academic community. It’s not the full picture, but it’s a useful starting point for understanding the journal’s influence. Impact Factor: Citation Average The Impact Factor (IF) is a number that shows how often a journal’s articles are cited on average over the past two years. It helps you understand how much attention the journal’s research gets from other scholars and it also helps with journals classification. How it works? To calculate the IF, look at how many times articles from a journal were cited in the past two years. Then, you divide that by the total number of articles the journal published in those two years. This gives you an average citation count per article. Example: Let’s say we want to figure out the IF for Journal A in 2023: 1. In 2021 and 2022, Journal A published 50 articles. 2. In 2023, those articles were cited 200 times in total. 3. You take the total citations (200) and divide it by the total number of articles (50): 200 ÷ 50 = 4 So, Journal A has an Impact Factor of 4, meaning its articles were cited, on average, four times each. A higher Impact Factor often places journals higher in classification, but keep in mind that it’s not the full story. Some specialised journals may have lower Impact Factors even though they’re highly respected in their niche. SNIP: Fair Comparisons Across Fields SNIP (Source Normalised Impact per Paper) is a valuable metric in journals classification because it goes one step further. It measures contextual citation impact and takes into account the fact that different research fields have different citation habits. For instance, medical papers often get cited a lot, while mathematics papers don’t, even if they’re equally important in their fields. SNIP adjusts the average citations a journal receives based on these differences, making it easier to compare journals across disciplines. Example: Journal A publishes in a low-citation field like social sciences and averages 3 citations per article. Adjusted for its field, its SNIP might be 1.6. Journal B publishes in a high-citation field like biomedicine and has an average of 8 citations per article. After adjustment, its SNIP might be 1.2. SNIP makes sure journals in fields with fewer citations still get the recognition they deserve. What it tells you: SNIP is especially useful for journal classification because it levels the playing field between disciplines. A higher SNIP score suggests that a journal’s articles are cited more often than expected for its field. It’s a helpful tool for comparing journals, but it’s just one of many ways to evaluate a journal’s influence or importance. Conclusion Metrics like Quartiles, H-Index, Impact Factor, and SNIP are essential tools for journals classification, helping researchers, librarians, and institutions rank journals and understand their influence. Each metric focuses on a different aspect of a journal’s impact. But no single number can tell the whole story. A journal might excel in one metric but be less prominent in another, or it might be vital to a specific audience despite modest scores. These tools are helpful guides, but the best journal for your research depends on your goals. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Research Better with Zendy’s Preference Search Feature
Have you ever wondered how Zendy sorts the research papers you need? It’s like Netflix, but for research, offering faster, more personalised access to papers that align with your interests. How Does It Work? Zendy’s Preference Search makes finding the right scientific papers easy by customising results to your specific interests. Here’s how you can make the most of it: Create a Zendy Account Signing up is quick and free. Just a few clicks, and you’re all set. Set Your InterestsTell Zendy what topics you’re passionate about, whether it’s renewable energy, digital marketing, or ancient history. Search SmarterWhen you search for a scientific paper, Zendy prioritises showing results that are most relevant to your interests. It saves you time and cuts through the noise of unrelated results. Update Your Interests AnytimeYour research focus might change, and that’s okay! If you update your interests, Zendy instantly adjusts your search results to match your new preferences, ensuring they’re always relevant. For Example:Let’s say you’re studying Nanotechnology. By setting “Chemical & Material Sciences” as your main area of interest, your searches will bring up studies, reports, and articles related to Nanotechnology, leaving out irrelevant material. Later, if you decide to focus on Electrochemistry, a quick update to your preferences will shift your results to reflect your new priorities. Why Use Preference Search? Saves Time: Stop scrolling through irrelevant results and focus on what you need. Stay Organised: With papers aligned to your interests, your research journey becomes smoother. Flexibility: Easily update your interests to keep your search results in sync with your evolving research goals. Start your personalised research journey today with Zendy’s Preference Search! Perfect for researchers, students, and professionals seeking fast and focused access to high-quality academic content. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
The Trap of Predatory Journals: How to Spot and Avoid Them
The rise of predatory journals began around the time open-access journals became popular. While open-access journals typically charge authors a fee to cover publishing costs, predatory journals exploit this by tricking researchers into paying for publication in a journal that doesn't actually provide the benefits of expert peer-reviewed or academic value that a legitimate journal would. What Are Predatory Journals? Predatory publishing, carried out by predatory journals, refers to deceptive practices by fake journals created solely for profit. These journals often lack scientific value and do not follow any ethical considerations in academic research or rigorous peer review standards. As a result, their acceptance rates for submitted research are high, primarily because their goal is to make money, not advance academic knowledge. Who Are the Targets? Researchers From Developing Institutions Those from less well-established institutions or countries where access to quality academic publishing opportunities is limited. These researchers may not have the experience or support to differentiate between legitimate and predatory outlets Early-career researchers, graduate students, and those under pressure to publish quickly These individuals, eager to disseminate their work, fall into the "pay and get published" trap. After paying the fees, they receive an acceptance letter within days and see their work published without proper peer review, which often damages their credibility. What Happens if You Publish in a Predatory Journal? It’s essential for researchers to carefully evaluate the journals they consider for submitting their work. Predatory journals create the illusion of being reputable and indexed in trusted databases when in reality, they are not. Publishing in these journals, especially without realising their nature, can be a serious pitfall. Such publications offer no meaningful academic value and can significantly harm a researcher’s reputation. It is a total waste of time, effort and money. How to Spot Predatory Journals In the following points, we'll explore the characteristics of predatory journals and how to distinguish them from legitimate ones. We'll also discuss ways to verify journals and identify the predatory ones. As mentioned earlier, predatory journals use several deceptive tactics. Some of the key signs to look for include: Their names could be similar to one of the top academic journals. Their publishing policies, evaluation standards, and editorial board details are unclear or vague. They tend to display fake impact factors (IF). They typically charge high publication fees. They often have unusually high acceptance rates for submitted research. Most have rapid publication processes, often completed in just days or weeks. They could be indexed in fake or unreliable databases. They often send unsolicited marketing emails urging researchers to submit their work, promising quick publication. Ways to Verify the Credibility of a Journal: To safeguard your work, follow these tips: Check Trusted Databases Look up the journal in reputable databases like Zendy or Web of Science. These platforms can help you verify the journal’s indexing and journals classification, giving you a sense of its academic performance. Use Beall's List Visit beallslist.net, you will see a list of predatory journals, search for the journal or its publisher. Beall's list provides insights into potentially predatory journals and publishers, helping you identify any red flags. Use Think, Check, Submit Tools Utilise the tools provided by Think, Check, Submit. This resource offers a step-by-step guide to evaluate journals, making it easier to decide where to publish your research. Take a Thorough Approach It’s essential to use multiple tools and methods rather than relying on a single one. None of these methods provide a definitive judgment on a journal’s credibility, but together they give a clearer picture. Always take the time to research thoroughly before submitting your work. Consult University Resources: Academic institutions often provide curated lists of trusted journals and warnings about predatory journals. Are All Open-Access Journals Predatory? No, not all Open Access (OA) journals are predatory. Open Access is a publishing model designed to make scholarly research freely available to the public, promoting knowledge sharing and accessibility. Unfortunately, the model can sometimes be exploited by predatory journals that prioritise profit over academic integrity. Conclusion Staying cautious is key to avoiding the risks associated with predatory journals, and preserving academic integrity. Take the time to verify journal legitimacy, and rely on trusted databases and resources to ensure your work is published in a credible platform that aligns with your academic goals. .50width { width: 50% !important; margin: auto !important; } .65width { width: 65% !important; margin: auto !important; }
Online Research Tools You Need to Know About in 2025
When we think about research tools, the first thing that comes to our mind is laboratory equipment, survey questionnaires, traditional statistical software, interviews, and more. But in 2025, things are changing. More online tools are being integrated into the research process, and they can save you a lot of time. After reading this blog, you’ll be introduced to some of the latest tools used in research in 2025, some of which you might not have encountered before. If you’re just starting your research or are unsure where to begin, these research tools can help you get started and make your work easier. Brainstorming Tools Defining a clear scientific topic has always been the challenging part of the research process. Even with a deep understanding of the field, researchers cannot stop asking themselves, “Do I provide a real solution?” That’s why brainstorming is such an important step, as it helps you go from Zero to One. Here’s a list of research tools used in brainstorming to help you set up your topics and make sure it’s unique and relevant. Miro Miro is an online platform for you and your colleagues to gather every idea in one place. It gives you plenty of templates such as mind maps, bubble maps, or even tree maps with sticky notes that will help you pull out your thoughts from your mind right in front of your eyes. This easy and simple online tool used in research will save you hours of thinking inside your head. MindMeister What makes MindMeister unique and suitable for research tools is that it has the user interface of what a researcher's mind needs, especially in the phase of choosing a topic. You and your team can use MindMeister on the go with a native mobile application for both Android and iOS. Benefits? ToolFree Plan FeaturesMiro3 editable boards, templates, 100+ integrationsMindMeisterUp to 3 mind maps, unlimited collaborators and mobile apps. The bottom line is to always start with a broad field and gradually narrow your focus to recent trends and challenges to address a problem and its potential solution until you find a relevant and unique question to answer. Literature Search & Access Tools Now, after a long day of brainstorming, you finally have your next research topic in hand. It’s time to conduct and structure a literature review to set the stage for your research question. In the past, researchers would travel to universities and libraries to access academic resources. With the arrival of the internet, they began to search online across many websites. Now, there are millions of research papers available online. Despite the increased accessibility, the need for a one-stop shop for peer-reviewed academic papers has become essential. These research tools have been designed to provide access to millions of articles in one place, while also offering features to help you organise them efficiently. Zendy With over 40 million research papers on a wide range of topics used by over 600,000 researchers worldwide, Zendy is one of the top 10 open access library databases that offer much more than just an online database for academic resources. Its simple, easy-to-use interface and powerful search filters make it one of the most efficient research tools available. This allows you to quickly find the articles you need, organise your sources and build a solid foundation for your research, saving you both time and money during the literature review stage. With Zendy, you have three options: Zendy Open – The free plan gives access to open-access articles. Zend Plan gives you unlimited AI research tools, including ZAIA, AI Summarise, Insights, PDF Analysis, and Keyphrase Highlight. Zendy Plus – Full access to paywalled articles along with unlimited usage of AI tools. Google Scholar Google Scholar is one of the most widely used research tools today. It’s a free tool that allows researchers to easily search through millions of academic articles, theses, books, and conference papers across various disciplines. In 2025, it continues to be an essential tool for students, professionals and researchers who need quick access to high-quality, peer-reviewed materials. While Google Scholar may not have the same in-depth organisational tools as other research tools, its ability to provide access to a vast amount of information with minimal effort makes it a go-to option for many researchers. Reference and Citation Management Tools Organising large amounts of data, sharing findings with colleagues, managing complex citations and references, and, of course, keeping up with deadlines, these tasks can be time-consuming and feel overwhelming. However, tools used in research like Zotero and Paperpile can help take care of all these details. These research tools make managing your project a lot easier, allowing you to focus on what really matters without getting weighed down by the small stuff. Instead of having documents and notes scattered all over the place, tools used in research like Zotero and Paperpile keep everything in one spot, so it’s easy to find what you need, saving time and reducing mistakes. Zotero Zotero is one of the great research tools for organising your project. It automatically grabs citation details from websites and academic databases, and you can attach PDFs, notes and other files to each reference, so everything stays in one place. Zotero allows you to organise your research into collections and tags, making it easier to find what you need later. It also integrates with Word and Google Docs to add citations and create bibliographies while you write. Plus, it syncs across devices, so you can access your research anytime, anywhere. It's a simple way to stay organised and keep everything in one spot. Paperpile If you’re looking for research tools that integrate easily with Google’s ecosystem, Paperpile is the best choice. It’s specifically built for Google apps! You can organise, find and collect, download and sync, annotate, share, and cite in Google Docs. With its clean interface and integration with Google, Paperpile is a great choice for anyone looking to simplify research management. It’s straightforward, user-friendly and saves lots of hours. Data Collection and Survey Tools Not so long ago, researchers often gathered data based on assumptions and possibilities within a small circle of interest, which wasn’t always accurate. Today, with the help of advanced research tools, you can collect and analyse data more precisely from a broader range of samples online. Jotform I’ve tried Jotform, and in just 1:57 minutes, I created an account and built a form with basic questions (name, age, location, background, etc.) using its drag-and-drop feature. It’s incredibly easy and fast to use. In addition, Jotform offers many features, such as adding collaboration and integration with various project management software. It is a great tool used in research to simplify data collection. Google Forms You may have noticed what makes Google's tools on top is their straightforward, fast, free and most of all, their simplicity. This simplicity is what makes Google stand out. Google Forms, for example, allows you to create extensive questionnaires and surveys that are easy for your target audience to use and comprehend. Its integration with other Google tools, like Google Sheets, makes it easy to manage and analyse responses all in one place. For researchers looking for research tools to gather data, Google Forms offers an effortless option for collecting valuable data. Project Management and Collaboration The right project management and collaboration research tools can make it much easier to stay on top of everything. Notion and Trello are two popular choices among researchers, and they are reliable options that can help you bring structure to your research management with less effort. Notion Notion is a one-stop workspace, combining notes, project management, and databases in one place. You can set up a hub for your research, keep notes, track references, and collaborate with others in real time, adapting it to fit the specific needs of your project. Trello Sometimes, seeing tasks laid out visually makes organising projects a lot easier. Trello is a simple research tool that does just that. It allows you to arrange tasks on boards and lists and view them in either calendar or timeline formats. With Trello, you can sort out to-do lists, create channels for different topics, assign tasks to team members, set deadlines and check your project’s overall progress, all while working together with your colleagues in real time. You will find Trello helpful for managing literature reviews, tracking data collection, and collaborating on research tasks. Academic Writing and Editing While these research tools are helpful, they shouldn’t do all the work for you. They’re best used as a way to clean up your writing, not to create it. The main ideas and structure of your research should come from you, with the tools stepping in to help with the fine details. Let’s take a look at some of the best writing tools used in research that can help you improve your academic writing and make your research easier to read and understand. Grammarly A very practical writing assistant tool offers more than 400 features, including grammar checks, vocabulary improvement suggestions, plagiarism detection, citation recommendations and more. What makes Grammarly really useful is how easy it is to use. You can install it as an extension on your browser or use it in its standalone app, and it works across different platforms, from your computer to your phone. Paperpal Academic writing isn’t just about getting the facts right, it’s about presenting ideas clearly so they’re easy to understand. Most research tools, like spelling and grammar checkers, can help fix basic mistakes, but they’re often not designed for research-level writing. This is where Paperpal really shines. Paperpal is built to support the unique needs of researchers and students. It doesn’t just spot typos; it helps you refine your language, follow academic standards, and structure your paper for better readability. For example, when writing a research paper, Paperpal can suggest improvements that make complex ideas easier to follow and help you use the right tone for a professional audience. With Paperpal, your research writing will meet the standards journals are looking for. This makes it a valuable addition to the tools used in research. In Conclusion 2025 is proving to be an exciting time for the academic industry. Today, researchers have access to an impressive range of research tools, starting with brainstorming platforms to citation managers, academic writing assistants and project management software that make every stage of research more efficient and effective. The right tools used in research can help you focus on what matters most. img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Unlocking the Full Potential of Research: Making it Accessible and Impactful
My name is Khosiyat Oripova, and as a Stanford student, I'm frequently reminded of how fortunate I am to have access to abundant academic information and resources. During a recent conversation with one of my history professors, she emphasized, "Ensure that you use the most of the library and all the opportunities you have here, because once you leave the educational institution, obtaining resources becomes significantly more challenging." This struck a chord with me, particularly considering how difficult it can be for plenty of individuals outside educational organizations to obtain relevant information for research. That's the reason my internship at Zendy proved to be valuable. Zendy was founded in 2019 with the goal of providing a seamless research experience, allowing users to effortlessly access research from leading publishers worldwide. Zendy provides an increasingly customized discovery experience by utilizing a variety of AI-powered resources, including ZAIA — AI assistant for research. Zendy combines open access allowing users to easily discover, read, and download research. Whether you're a healthcare practitioner in a developing nation, an enthusiastic high school student, or a member of a community-based organisation tackling local issues, you may immediately and easily access the information you need. In the hectic modern society, information is not only helpful but necessary. For instance, grassroots organisations focused on local concerns may overlook creative initiatives given that they do not have a source for relevant research. So, how can we create a more approachable research landscape? Here are some important steps: Creating initiatives that concentrate on interpreting information in understandable formats for non-experts can help communities use knowledge in meaningful methods Universities and institutions can form collaborations with local groups to share discoveries and ideas, assuring that valuable research benefits those who need it most Making knowledge accessible is more than just an academic matter; it is a collaborative responsibility. As we advocate for a more open research landscape, remember that accessibility has far-reaching benefits outside academia. Accessible research may contribute to driving social transformation, generate innovative thoughts, and produce initiatives to address societal concerns. Every step toward openness helps to create a more informed and influential society. Khosiyat is a fourth-year student at Stanford University studying International Relations and Security. She completed a 6-month market research internship at Zendy. If you're interested in interning with us in the future, please contact hello@zendy.io. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 65% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
We Are Speaking at the Charleston Conference 2024
We are excited to announce our participation in this year’s Charleston Conference, where we will address critical issues in the academic world: accessibility and affordability in research. In our session, “New Perspectives: Exploring Hybrid Access Alternatives to Promote Accessibility and Affordability in the Global South,” Zendy’s Co-founder, Kamran Kardan, advisor and retired distinguished librarian emeritus David Hirsch, and Zendy’s Partnership Relations Manager, Sara Crowley Vigneau, will discuss the current barriers to accessibility and affordability and latest models that combine open access and paywalled resources for more inclusive knowledge access in the global south. Join Our Session "New Perspectives: Exploring Hybrid Access Alternatives" Wednesday, November 13 | 4:00 PM | Cypress Ballroom South, Courtyard Marriott What is Charleston Conference: The Charleston Conference is an annual event focused on issues in scholarly communication, academic publishing, and library management. It brings together librarians, publishers, vendors, and research professionals to discuss developments, trends, and challenges in the fields of libraries, publishing, and knowledge access. The theme for this year’s conference is “The Sky’s The Limit!” If you’re attending the Charleston Conference, we’d love to connect! Email hello@zendy.io to book a meeting, and let’s discuss how we can create a world with greater accessibility together.
Webinar Recap: Navigating AI in Publishing: Best Practices and Use Cases for IP Management, Equity, and Accessibility
Recently, we collaborated with AU Presses to host an insightful webinar titled "Navigating AI in Publishing, Best Practices and Use Cases for IP Management, Equity, and Accessibility". The webinar attracted a diverse audience of researchers, students and academics who wants to learn how to protect and leverage IP, copyright, accessibility, equity and bias through the challenges and opportunities of AI. Key Highlights and Takeaways Engaging in closed AI systems: enabling consent, credit and compensation In this webinar, our Co-founder, Kamran Kardan, addressed critical questions that researchers are asking regarding the ethical considerations of selecting AI tools. With the growing integration of AI in research, Kamran highlighted the need for transparency into how researchers’ content might be processed or utilised by AI systems. Publisher AI use case: IT governance Publisher. Andreas Chrysostomou, Publishing Relations Manager at IT Governance Publishing Ltd, shared valuable key points about the future of IP for scientific papers within AI. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers and AI developers to create a more transparent and efficient ecosystem that benefits all. AI tools: Enhancing Accessibility and Promoting Equity Zendy's Chief Technology Officer, Rodrigo Pinto, showcased the potential of AI in making access to knowledge more democratic and inclusive. In this webinar, Rodrigo addressed some of the crucial challenges that come with AI implementation, particularly around ethical and legal aspects, such as copyright protections, regulatory frameworks and bias in AI algorithms. GAI: Reducing Barriers to Scholarly Information Access Lucy Lu Wang, Assistant Professor at the University of Washington Information School, shared how generative AI can simplify and make it easier for non-researchers and practitioners, such as healthcare clinicians, to access scholarly information. Lucy Lu pointed out key challenges, such as knowledge gaps, technical issues and discipline-specific language, and offered practical solutions for bridging these gaps. The webinar was a great opportunity to engage with experts and discuss the future of open access. We thank AU Presses for the collaboration and all attendees for their valuable contributions. Stay tuned for more discussions and insights from experts in the field.