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lit-synthesis

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English
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Translation

Chinese

Literature Synthesis

文献合成

You help sociologists move from a corpus of papers to a deep understanding of a field. This is the analytical bridge between finding papers (lit-search) and writing about them (lit-writeup).
你可以帮助社会学家从论文语料库出发，深入理解某个研究领域。这是连接文献检索（lit-search）和文献撰写（lit-writeup）的分析桥梁。

The Lit Trilogy

文献三部曲

This skill is the middle step in a three-skill workflow:
SkillRoleKey Output
lit-searchFind papers via OpenAlex
database.json
, download checklist
lit-synthesisAnalyze & organize via Zotero
field-synthesis.md
, 
theoretical-map.md
, 
debate-map.md
lit-writeupDraft prosePublication-ready Theory section
Input: Papers in Zotero (imported from lit-search or user's existing library) Output: Organized understanding of the field ready for writing
本技能是三步工作流中的中间环节：
技能角色核心输出
lit-search通过OpenAlex查找论文
database.json
、下载清单
lit-synthesis通过Zotero进行分析与整理
field-synthesis.md
、
theoretical-map.md
、
debate-map.md
lit-writeup撰写草稿可用于发表的理论部分
输入：Zotero中的论文（从lit-search导入或用户现有库中的论文） 输出：整理后的领域认知，可直接用于撰写

When to Use This Skill

何时使用本技能

Use this skill when users:
  • Have a corpus of papers (from lit-search or their own collection)
  • Need to understand the theoretical landscape before writing
  • Want to identify debates, tensions, and competing positions
  • Need to organize papers thematically or by theoretical tradition
  • Want deep reading notes, not just metadata extraction
当用户需要以下服务时，可使用本技能：
  • 拥有一批论文（来自lit-search或个人收藏）
  • 需要在撰写前了解理论研究格局
  • 想要识别研究中的争议、矛盾和对立立场
  • 需要按主题或理论流派整理论文
  • 需要深度阅读笔记，而非仅提取元数据

Core Principles

核心原则

  1. Read deeply, not widely: Better to understand 15 papers thoroughly than 50 superficially.
  2. Theoretical traditions matter: Papers exist within intellectual lineages. Map who cites whom and why.
  3. Debates are gold: Competing positions create space for contributions. Find the tensions.
  4. Organization serves writing: The clusters and maps you create should directly feed lit-writeup's architecture phase.
  5. Full text when possible: Abstracts tell you what; full text tells you how and why.
  1. 深度阅读，而非广泛涉猎：透彻理解15篇论文，好过肤浅浏览50篇。
  2. 理论流派至关重要：论文存在于学术传承脉络中。梳理谁引用了谁，以及引用的原因。
  3. 争议是黄金：对立的立场为新研究贡献创造了空间。找到这些矛盾点。
  4. 整理是为撰写服务：你创建的聚类和图谱应直接为lit-writeup的架构阶段提供素材。
  5. 尽可能获取全文：摘要告诉你研究内容；全文则揭示研究方法和原因。

Zotero MCP Integration

Zotero MCP集成

This skill uses Zotero MCP for accessing your library:
本技能使用Zotero MCP访问你的文献库：

Setup

设置

Install the Zotero MCP server:
bash
uv tool install "git+https://github.com/54yyyu/zotero-mcp.git"
zotero-mcp setup
See 
mcp/zotero-setup.md
for detailed configuration.
安装Zotero MCP服务器：
bash
uv tool install "git+https://github.com/54yyyu/zotero-mcp.git"
zotero-mcp setup
详见
mcp/zotero-setup.md
中的详细配置说明。

Key Capabilities

核心功能

ToolPurpose
zotero_search_items
Find papers by keyword, author, tag
zotero_semantic_search
Conceptual similarity search
zotero_get_item_metadata
Retrieve full metadata + BibTeX
zotero_get_annotations
Extract PDF highlights and notes
zotero_search_notes
Search your reading notes
工具用途
zotero_search_items
通过关键词、作者、标签查找论文
zotero_semantic_search
概念相似度检索
zotero_get_item_metadata
获取完整元数据 + BibTeX
zotero_get_annotations
提取PDF高亮内容和笔记
zotero_search_notes
检索你的阅读笔记

Workflow Integration

工作流集成

  1. From lit-search: Import the BibTeX export into Zotero
  2. Acquire PDFs: Use Zotero's "Find Available PDF" or manual download
  3. Read and annotate: Highlight key passages, add notes
  4. lit-synthesis reads: Access annotations via MCP for analysis
  1. 从lit-search导入：将BibTeX导出文件导入Zotero
  2. 获取PDF：使用Zotero的“查找可用PDF”功能或手动下载
  3. 阅读并标注：高亮关键段落，添加笔记
  4. lit-synthesis读取：通过MCP访问标注内容进行分析

Workflow Phases

工作流阶段

Phase 0: Corpus Audit

阶段0：语料库审计

Goal: Assess what's in the corpus and identify gaps.
Process:
  • Review the database from lit-search (or user's Zotero collection)
  • Count papers by year, journal, author, theoretical tradition
  • Identify potential gaps in coverage
  • Prioritize which papers need deep reading vs. skimming
Output: 
corpus-audit.md
with statistics and reading priorities.
Pause: User confirms corpus coverage and reading priorities.
目标：评估语料库内容，识别研究缺口。
流程：
  • 回顾lit-search生成的数据库（或用户的Zotero收藏集）
  • 按年份、期刊、作者、理论流派统计论文数量
  • 识别潜在的研究覆盖缺口
  • 确定哪些论文需要深度阅读，哪些只需略读
输出：
corpus-audit.md
，包含统计数据和阅读优先级。
暂停：用户确认语料库覆盖范围和阅读优先级。

Phase 1: Deep Reading

阶段1：深度阅读

Goal: Close read priority papers and extract analytical insights.
Process:
  • For each priority paper, read full text via Zotero MCP
  • Extract: argument structure, theoretical framework, key concepts, methodological approach
  • Note: how theory is deployed, what evidence supports claims, limitations acknowledged
  • Create structured reading notes
Output: 
reading-notes/
directory with per-paper notes.
Pause: User reviews reading notes for key papers.
目标：精读重点论文，提取分析洞察。
流程：
  • 通过Zotero MCP阅读每篇重点论文的全文
  • 提取：论证结构、理论框架、核心概念、研究方法
  • 记录：理论的应用方式、支撑论点的证据、作者承认的局限性
  • 创建结构化阅读笔记
输出：
reading-notes/
目录，包含单篇论文的笔记文件。
暂停：用户审阅重点论文的阅读笔记。

Phase 2: Theoretical Mapping

阶段2：理论图谱绘制

Goal: Identify intellectual traditions and lineages.
Process:
  • Identify which theoretical frameworks appear across papers
  • Map citation relationships (who cites whom)
  • Note foundational texts and their descendants
  • Identify "camps" or schools of thought
  • Document key concepts and how they're used
Output: 
theoretical-map.md
with traditions, key theorists, and concept definitions.
Pause: User reviews theoretical landscape.
目标：识别学术传统和传承脉络。
流程：
  • 识别多篇论文中出现的理论框架
  • 绘制引用关系图谱（谁引用了谁）
  • 记录基础文献及其后续研究
  • 识别“阵营”或学术流派
  • 记录核心概念及其使用方式
输出：
theoretical-map.md
，包含学术传统、关键理论家及概念定义。
暂停：用户审阅理论研究格局。

Phase 3: Thematic Clustering

阶段3：主题聚类

Goal: Organize papers by what they study and how.
Process:
  • Group papers by empirical focus (population, setting, phenomenon)
  • Group papers by theoretical approach
  • Group papers by methodological strategy
  • Identify papers that bridge multiple clusters
  • Note within-cluster consensus and variation
Output: 
thematic-clusters.md
with organized paper groupings.
Pause: User reviews clustering logic.
目标：按研究内容和方法整理论文。
流程：
  • 按实证研究重点（研究群体、场景、现象）分组论文
  • 按理论方法分组论文
  • 按研究策略分组论文
  • 识别跨多个聚类的论文
  • 记录聚类内部的共识和差异
输出：
thematic-clusters.md
，包含整理后的论文分组。
暂停：用户审阅聚类逻辑。

Phase 4: Debate Mapping

阶段4：争议图谱绘制

Goal: Identify tensions, disagreements, and competing positions.
Process:
  • Find explicit disagreements (papers that critique each other)
  • Find implicit tensions (contradictory findings or incompatible assumptions)
  • Identify unresolved questions the field is grappling with
  • Note where evidence is mixed or contested
  • Document the "state of the debate" for each tension
Output: 
debate-map.md
with positions, evidence, and unresolved questions.
Pause: User reviews debates and selects focus areas.
目标：识别研究中的矛盾、分歧和对立立场。
流程：
  • 找出明确的分歧（互相批判的论文）
  • 找出隐含的矛盾（相互矛盾的研究结果或不相容的假设）
  • 识别领域内尚未解决的问题
  • 记录证据混杂或存在争议的领域
  • 记录每个矛盾点的“争议现状”
输出：
debate-map.md
，包含对立立场、相关证据和未解决问题。
暂停：用户审阅争议点并选择重点关注领域。

Phase 5: Field Synthesis

阶段5：领域合成

Goal: Create comprehensive understanding ready for writing.
Process:
  • Synthesize across phases into coherent field understanding
  • Identify the most productive gaps for contribution
  • Recommend which lit-writeup cluster (Gap-Filler, Theory-Extender, etc.) fits
  • Create the handoff document for lit-writeup
Output: 
field-synthesis.md
with integrated understanding and writing recommendations.
目标：创建可直接用于撰写的综合性领域认知。
流程：
  • 整合各阶段成果，形成连贯的领域认知
  • 识别最具研究价值的缺口
  • 推荐适合的lit-writeup聚类类型（如缺口填补型、理论拓展型等）
  • 为lit-writeup创建交接文档
输出：
field-synthesis.md
，包含整合后的领域认知和撰写建议。

Output Files

输出文件结构

lit-synthesis/
├── corpus-audit.md           # Phase 0: What's in the corpus
├── reading-notes/            # Phase 1: Per-paper notes
│   ├── author2020-title.md
│   ├── author2019-title.md
│   └── ...
├── theoretical-map.md        # Phase 2: Traditions and lineages
├── thematic-clusters.md      # Phase 3: Paper groupings
├── debate-map.md             # Phase 4: Tensions and positions
└── field-synthesis.md        # Phase 5: Integrated understanding
lit-synthesis/
├── corpus-audit.md           # 阶段0：语料库内容统计
├── reading-notes/            # 阶段1：单篇论文笔记
│   ├── author2020-title.md
│   ├── author2019-title.md
│   └── ...
├── theoretical-map.md        # 阶段2：学术传统与传承脉络
├── thematic-clusters.md      # 阶段3：论文分组
├── debate-map.md             # 阶段4：矛盾点与对立立场
└── field-synthesis.md        # 阶段5：整合性领域认知

Reading Note Template

阅读笔记模板

For each paper in Phase 1:
markdown
undefined
阶段1中每篇论文的笔记模板：
markdown
undefined

[Author Year] - [Short Title]

[作者 年份] - [简短标题]

Bibliographic Info

文献信息

  • Full citation: [from Zotero]
  • DOI: [link]
  • 完整引文：[来自Zotero]
  • DOI：[链接]

Core Argument

核心论点

[1-2 sentences: What is the paper arguing?]
[1-2句话：论文的核心主张是什么？]

Theoretical Framework

理论框架

  • Tradition: [e.g., Bourdieusian, institutionalist, interactionist]
  • Key concepts used: [list]
  • How theory is deployed: [description vs. extension vs. critique]
  • 流派：[例如，布迪厄学派、制度主义、互动主义]
  • 使用的核心概念：[列表]
  • 理论应用方式：[描述性应用 vs 拓展应用 vs 批判性应用]

Empirical Strategy

实证研究策略

  • Data: [what kind]
  • Methods: [how analyzed]
  • Sample: [who/what]
  • 数据：[数据类型]
  • 方法：[分析方法]
  • 样本：[研究对象/群体]

Key Findings

核心发现

  1. [Finding 1]
  2. [Finding 2]
  3. [Finding 3]
  1. [发现1]
  2. [发现2]
  3. [发现3]

Contribution Claim

贡献主张

[What does the paper claim to contribute?]
[论文声称做出了哪些贡献？]

Limitations (as noted by authors)

作者提及的局限性

  • [Limitation 1]
  • [Limitation 2]
  • [局限性1]
  • [局限性2]

My Notes

我的笔记

[Your analytical observations, connections to other papers, questions raised]
[你的分析观察、与其他论文的关联、提出的问题]

Key Quotes

关键引文

"[Quote 1]" (p. X)
"[Quote 2]" (p. Y)
"[引文1]"（第X页）
"[引文2]"（第Y页）

Tags

标签

[theoretical-tradition] [empirical-focus] [method] [relevant-to-my-project]
undefined
[理论流派] [实证研究重点] [研究方法] [与我的项目相关]
undefined

Model Recommendations

模型推荐

PhaseModelRationale
Phase 0: Corpus AuditSonnetData processing, statistics
Phase 1: Deep ReadingOpusAnalytical reading, synthesis
Phase 2: Theoretical MappingOpusPattern recognition, intellectual history
Phase 3: Thematic ClusteringSonnetOrganization, categorization
Phase 4: Debate MappingOpusTension identification, nuance
Phase 5: Field SynthesisOpusIntegration, strategic judgment
阶段模型理由
阶段0：语料库审计Sonnet数据处理、统计分析
阶段1：深度阅读Opus分析性阅读、内容合成
阶段2：理论图谱绘制Opus模式识别、学术史梳理
阶段3：主题聚类Sonnet内容整理、分类
阶段4：争议图谱绘制Opus矛盾点识别、细节分析
阶段5：领域合成Opus内容整合、战略判断

Starting the Synthesis

开始合成

When the user is ready to begin:
  1. Check Zotero setup:
    "Do you have Zotero MCP configured? If not, let's set that up first (see 
    mcp/zotero-setup.md
    )."
  2. Identify the corpus:
    "Where are your papers? A Zotero collection from lit-search? An existing library folder? How many papers total?"
  3. Set priorities:
    "Which papers are most central to your project? We'll deep-read those first and skim the rest."
  4. Clarify goals:
    "What are you trying to understand about this field? Are you looking for gaps, debates, or a specific theoretical tradition?"
  5. Proceed with Phase 0 to audit the corpus.
当用户准备开始时：
  1. 检查Zotero设置：
    "你是否已配置Zotero MCP？如果没有，我们先完成配置（详见
    mcp/zotero-setup.md
    ）。"
  2. 确定语料库来源：
    "你的论文存储在哪里？是来自lit-search的Zotero收藏集？还是现有库中的文件夹？总共有多少篇论文？"
  3. 设置优先级：
    "哪些论文对你的项目最为核心？我们会先深度阅读这些论文，其余的略读。"
  4. 明确目标：
    "你希望从该领域了解到什么？是寻找研究缺口、争议点，还是特定的学术传统？"
  5. 进入阶段0，开始语料库审计。

Key Reminders

重要提醒

  • Zotero is the source of truth: All papers should be in Zotero for consistent access
  • Annotations accelerate: If you've already highlighted papers, those annotations are accessible via MCP
  • Quality over quantity: Deep reading 15 papers beats skimming 50
  • Debates are opportunities: Every tension you find is a potential contribution space
  • This feeds lit-writeup: The outputs here become inputs there—keep that handoff in mind
  • Zotero是唯一可信来源：所有论文都应存储在Zotero中，以确保访问一致性
  • 标注可加速进程：如果你已高亮标注过论文，这些标注可通过MCP访问
  • 质量优于数量：深度阅读15篇论文好过略读50篇
  • 争议是研究机遇：你发现的每一个矛盾点都是潜在的研究贡献方向
  • 本技能为lit-writeup提供输入：此处的输出将作为lit-writeup的输入——请时刻牢记这一衔接关系