# Document Retrieval

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## Description

**Document Retrieval** makes every mentorAI answer **transparent and verifiable**.
When a learner asks a question, the mentor:

1. **Cites** the exact source inside the reply (e.g., *“Lecture 11 — Slides 35–36”*)
2. **Shows** a dynamic **Source Panel** with the documents it used, ranked by relevance
3. **Lets users open** any listed file with one click to read the full context


Administrators control which materials can be shown by toggling each file’s **Visible** switch in the **Datasets** table—**no retraining required**.

## Target Audience

**Student · Instructor · Administrator**

## Features

#### Inline Citations in Answers

Replies reference the exact lecture, slide, or page used (e.g., *Lecture 11 — Slides 35–36*).

#### Source Panel (Ranked by Relevance)

A live panel lists retrieved documents for that specific answer and updates as the conversation continues.

#### One-Click Source Opening

Learners can open any listed file to read supporting context immediately.

#### Admin Visibility Controls

Per-file **Visible** toggles determine which sources can be shown/cited in the panel—without removing them from training.

#### Works at Scale

Handles large training sets; sources are still ranked and cited for each response.

#### Guided-Prompt Friendly

Use guided prompts to kick off a conversation when learners aren’t sure where to start.

## How to Use (step by step)

#### Ask a Question in Chat

- Example:
> “What are key epidemiological study designs?”
- mentorAI reads your query, searches trained resources, and composes an answer with inline citations
- Example citation:
> “These study designs are discussed in Lecture 2.10 of Prof. Quinlan’s course.”


#### Review the Source Panel

- The panel displays the documents used, ranked by relevance (often with a confidence/percentage indicator)
- Click any source to open the original and read more


#### Ask Follow-Ups (Panel Updates Automatically)

- Example:
> “Can you explain case-control studies in detail?”
- The Source Panel refreshes to show the most relevant documents for the new question and cites them in the reply (e.g., *“See Lecture 11, Slides 35–36”*)


#### Open & Read Sources

- Select a listed document (lecture, slide deck, PDF) to view full context and deepen understanding


#### (Admin) Control Visibility of Sources

- Go to **Settings → Datasets** for the mentor
- Use the **eye icon** in the Visible column to show or hide individual files:
  - **Visible On** → learners can see/click the source in the panel
  - **Visible Off** → the mentor can still use the file for answers, but it won’t appear in the panel
- Changes apply instantly; **no retraining is required**


## Pedagogical Use Cases

#### Transparent, Citable Answers

Teach students to verify claims and cite original materials—great for research and academic integrity.

#### Guided Reading & Deep Dives

Learners jump straight from an answer to the exact slide/page for fuller context.

#### Instructor QA & Content Gaps

Instructors can confirm the mentor cites the right sources and spot where additional materials are needed.

#### Assessment Support

Link explanations to specific readings so students revisit core texts before quizzes or exams.

#### Scaffolded Disclosure

Keep some documents hidden (**Visible Off**) for assessments or proprietary content, while still letting the mentor draw on them to answer.