Synthesize multiple sources

Use this guide to ask Atlas a question that compares and combines evidence from several sources in one cited answer.

What this page covers

Select several sources, ask a comparative question, inspect synthesis, and verify evidence across sources.

Before you start

The relevant sources must be in the same project and must have finished processing.
Define a specific comparison, disagreement, method, or evidence question before you begin.

A project with five focused sources is easier to synthesize than one with thirty loosely related documents.

Choose a synthesis angle

A specific angle produces more useful results than a broad summary request.

Good synthesis angles:

Where do the sources agree and disagree?
What methods does each source use, and how do they differ?
Which source provides the strongest evidence for a claim?
What limitations recur across the sources?
What definitions does each source offer for this term?
What open questions do the sources raise?

Ask the question

Open chat in the project. Write a question that names the comparison you want to make.

Examples:

Which sources agree that retrieval reduces hallucination?
Compare the evaluation methods used in these papers.
What limitations do the authors share across these sources?
Which source gives the best evidence for the claim that fine-tuning helps?

If the project contains more material than you want included, mention the specific sources using @.

Ask for source separation

A synthesis answer is most useful when it is clear which source supports which point. If the answer blends sources together without attribution, ask for a table:

Compare these sources in a table with columns for claim, supporting evidence, limitation, and citation.

Verify before saving

Before saving a synthesis finding, open citations for the claims that matter most. For a quick reading pass, check one citation per major source. For work that will appear in writing or decisions, verify every important claim.

Save the synthesis

Turn a verified synthesis into a note that includes:

The question you asked.
Key points of agreement across sources.
Disagreements or gaps.
Which citations you verified.
Follow-up questions or reading.

Choose a synthesis angle

A specific angle produces more useful results than a broad summary request.

Good synthesis angles:

Where do the sources agree and disagree?

What methods does each source use, and how do they differ?

Which source provides the strongest evidence for a claim?

What limitations recur across the sources?

What definitions does each source offer for this term?

What open questions do the sources raise?

Ask the question

Open chat in the project. Write a question that names the comparison you want to make.

Examples:

Which sources agree that retrieval reduces hallucination?

Compare the evaluation methods used in these papers.

What limitations do the authors share across these sources?

Which source gives the best evidence for the claim that fine-tuning helps?

If the project contains more material than you want included, mention the specific sources using @.