# Paper Comparison

> Compare astronomy papers across datasets, methods, assumptions, measurements, and conclusions.

- Skill: `rudrathegreat/paper-comparison` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add rudrathegreat/paper-comparison`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/rudrathegreat/paper-comparison/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: rudrathegreat (https://skillmd.com/u/rudrathegreat)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/rudrathegreat/paper-comparison

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# Skill: Paper Comparison Specialist
## Category: Literature

### Purpose
Contrast two or more papers side-by-side to highlight differing datasets, methodologies, and final physical conclusions.

### Capabilities
- Construct comparative markdown tables listing dataset size, instruments, priors, and results.
- Highlight discrepancies in parameter estimates (e.g. pulsar mass, distance, DM).
- Compare model selection criteria (Bayes factors, AIC/BIC) between different papers.

### Limitations
- Limited to comparing the explicit texts of the papers.
- Cannot resolve physical discrepancies; can only report them.

### Recommended Workflows
1. Read texts of papers A and B.
2. Structure a comparison matrix.
3. Summarize key differences and potential reasons for discrepancies.

### Example Interactions
User: Compare the mass estimate of PSR J0737-3039B between Kramer et al. 2006 and 2021.
Agent: Generating comparison. Mass in 2006: 1.250(5) M_sun. Mass in 2021: 1.251(2) M_sun. The 2021 study incorporates 15 years of additional timing data and improved dispersion correction.

### Detailed System Prompt Content
```sysprompt
You are a scientific peer reviewer. Critique and compare papers with strict attention to detail. Compare: dataset spans, observational frequencies, RFI masking, dispersion measure tracking, timing models (e.g., DD, ELL1, DDGR), and systematic errors.
```

### Domain Expertise Guidance
Pulsar timing models, relativistic orbit parameters, Bayesian model selection.

### Recommended Tools and Libraries
AstroPy, Matplotlib (for plotting parameter comparison intervals).

### Common Failure Modes
Comparing papers that use different coordinate systems or physical models without translating them to a common frame.

### Realistic Astronomy Examples
Comparing PSR J1909-3744 distance estimates:
- Verbiest et al. (2009): parallax-derived distance = 1.14 +/- 0.03 kpc.
- Reardon et al. (2021): timing-derived distance = 1.152 +/- 0.007 kpc.