Start AI work with Zotero by identifying the paper and version before deciding what to read. This example provides two verified public records and an unfilled reading template for use in a separate practice collection.
Start with the Zotero guide: select a library, read materials, and check citations
Identify the two papers first
The author is the same, but titles, years and DOIs differ; the papers are not interchangeable citations. These fields were checked against Crossref’s official DOI metadata. Years identify the records without conflating specific months from different versions.
Download practice materials
The package contains metadata, source links, and an original reading template, not paper PDFs, article abstracts, or a completed literature review. The reference files match the checklist; inspect the actual fields after importing into Zotero.
From importing to a reading request
- After extraction, compare the checklist’s title, author, and year with the DOI sources.
- For import, confirm the target library, then use Zotero File → Import → A file. Choose either BibTeX or RIS to avoid duplicates, and keep the practice records in a separate collection.
- Search and confirm the items in Marx Max, check existing notes or local PDFs, and then specify the further reading scope.
Zotero officially supports these formats. Existing synchronization may also sync imported records. Official import instructions
Fill textual evidence only after reading
The template separates the reading question, author statement, verifiable location, personal interpretation, and open checks. Correct metadata does not establish support for a claim; unread sections, pages, and conclusions remain unknown. Citation formatting does not replace checking the source.
Continue from confirmed reading to a presentation
With reading notes confirmed, organize a talk around its audience, focus, and time. The site separately provides a published 25-slide presentation on AI Agents for Economic Research to inspect its task and structure; it concerns the 2025 paper of that name, so check the version before reading.
View the seminar presentation case · Return to the Zotero guide