Research & AI in Higher Education

While this guide primarily addresses teaching and learning, it’s important to acknowledge AI’s emerging role in academic research. AI-powered tools are also going to have potential impact in research with tools claiming to enhance efficiency in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. However, as noted throughout such advancements should not compromise research quality or reliability. This section doesn’t endorse specific tools but aims to inform educators about their potential research applications.

 

UNESCO’s “Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research” offers valuable insights into responsibly integrating AI in research. It emphasises human agency and the importance of using AI tools to genuinely enhance research effectiveness.
Unesco diagram on possible uses of ChatGPT in the research process. Writing up, Data Analysis, Research Design, Data Collection
Possible uses of ChatGPT in the research process (Unesco https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ChatGPT-and-Artificial-Intelligence-in-higher-education-Quick-Start-guide_EN_FINAL.pdf)

AI Research tools:

  • Search and Synthesis Tools: Platforms like Consensus and Elicit.org aid in aggregating academic insights and providing concise summaries, backed by scholarly references.
  • Citation and Verification: Tools such as Scite.ai help verify the credibility of academic claims by tracking how they’ve been cited or contested in the literature.
  • Research Organization: Services like Research Rabbit suggest relevant papers and help map out connections between different pieces of research, akin to a personalised discovery journey.
  • Content Interaction: Tools like ChatPDF allow for an interactive review of academic papers by summarising content and responding to queries.
  • Advanced Data Analysis: Certain features within platforms like ChatGPT offer advanced data analysis capabilities, expanding the scope of AI assistance in empirical research. MIT Sloan produced a useful resource on this ‘How to Use ChatGPT’s Advanced Data Analysis Feature’.

While these tools represent advancements in AI’s application to research, caution is advised. The study “Generative AI and the Automating of Academia” by Watermeyer et al. raises concerns about the implications of AI on academic engagement and community. While AI can streamline certain aspects of research, it’s crucial not to let it overshadow the intrinsic values of scholarly inquiry and collegiality. A critical and mindful approach to integrating AI tools can help maintain the integrity and depth of academic work, ensuring technology serves as an aid rather than a substitute for  intellectual rigour and collaborative spirit.

 

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Are You AI Ready? Investigating AI tools in Higher Education - Faculty Guide Copyright © by SATLE Project Team 'Are You AI Ready?' University College Dublin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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