Study Assistant vs. Smart Search (Books): How Do They Differ?

What is the difference between the Study Assistant and the Smart Search function when Smart Search is set to Books?

In my testing, both features searched my owned library and provided answers to the same question I posed. However, each feature drew from different books in my collection.

Does this mean that, going forward, if I want the fullest possible answer from my library, I should run my questions through both Study Assistant and Smart Search?

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Comments

Dr. Nathan Parker

Smart Search is single query based on your library. It can display the summary above the search results if you want it to, plus it also lists your search results.

Study Assistant runs about four different queries, compares the data, then provides you back a summary of what it found.

It kind of hinges on what you're trying to do. I use Study Assistant for asking biblical questions where I need a summarized answer back. I use Smart Search on Books when I need to find something I can't find in a Precise Search but still need to click on various books in my search results.

Dave Hooton

You can expect the Study Assistant to draw from different books as Smart is a Search with a synopsis drawn from some of the results. Study Assistant "provides answers from trusted sources and allows you to ask follow-up questions to explore topics in more detail" i.e. it is more analysis. Smart allows you to continue your search/topic in Study Assistant, so you can take advantage of the different approaches.

I have seen an overlap when using books from my library ("Your Books") and the different ones provide another perspective, or additional related material, especially when you choose "All Books".