---
name: "literature-review-from-real-papers-method"
description: "Use when you need to Run a literature review where an agent finds, screens and summarizes real papers. Review research papers with an agent and verify every reference"
---

# Review research papers with an agent and verify every reference

Job: [Run a literature review where an agent finds, screens and summarizes real papers](https://aiagents.org/canai/literature-review-from-real-papers)

## Need

- ai agent

## Steps

1. Write the question and criteria. Write the research question and include and exclude rules in a file such as criteria.md. The agent screens against this, so make each rule checkable. Check: Someone else could screen a paper with your criteria and reach the same decision.
2. Ground the agent in real records. Connect Zotero, put PDFs in a folder, or use a paper search tool. Do not ask a chat model to list papers from memory. Check: Every candidate has a DOI, arXiv ID or a PDF you hold.
3. Run and log the searches. Approve the search terms. Have the agent log each query, source and hit count so you can report your method. Check: You have a search log with dates and counts.
4. Screen in batches with reasons. Review the first batch closely. Correct the agent's reading of your criteria, then let it continue. Spot-check excludes as well as includes. Check: You agree with at least the sample of decisions you checked, and each decision names a criterion.
5. Extract findings with page references. Have the agent fill the evidence table from the full text, with the page or section for each finding. Check: Opening a random row's paper at the given page shows the stated finding.
6. Synthesise from the table only. Ask for a synthesis by theme that cites only rows in the evidence table and marks conflicts and gaps. Check: Every citation in the synthesis maps to a row in the table.
7. Verify every reference. Resolve each DOI or arXiv ID and compare title, authors, venue and year. Fix wrong details and remove anything that does not resolve. Check: All references resolve and match. None were added from memory.
8. Read the papers behind your main claims. Read the key papers yourself before you submit, publish or send the review. Check: You can defend each main claim from the paper itself.
9. Optional: The source includes a Claude Code prompt and a list of what goes wrong; they are linked there, not copied here.
10. Note: Steps quoted from the Agents Handbook (CC BY 4.0). Never cite a paper the agent listed from memory; resolve every reference before you publish.

## Credit

Method author Agents Handbook editors (CC BY 4.0)
Source: https://agentshandbook.com/p/do-a-literature-review-of-papers-on-a-topic