Web of Science Research Assistant: functional analysis and usage recommendations

Abstract

This chapter provides a comprehensive functional analysis of the Web of Science Research Assistant, a generative AI tool integrated into Clarivate’s academic database. Designed to enhance research workflows, the tool supports tasks such as literature reviews, topic exploration, expert identification, and journal selection. Through a detailed examination of its interface and functionalities, including thematic summarization, co-citation mapping, and trend visualization, this chapter highlights the tool’s potential to streamline scientific discovery. Several practical use cases are presented, demonstrating its capabilities in optimizing searches, identifying seminal papers, and suggesting relevant publication venues. Despite its innovative features, the tool’s use must be guided by critical thinking, transparency, and ethical considerations. Researchers are encouraged to view the assistant not as a substitute, but as a complement to scholarly inquiry. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the value of reflective, layered interaction with AI to responsibly integrate these technologies into academic practice.