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AI Tools for Academic Research:
Overview

Introduction

Laptop image generated using ChatGPT (gpt-4o) and prompt: "Open laptop on a desk surrounded by journal articles and other research references. Images of journal articles, book chapters, formulas, and diagrams emerge from the screen and appear to diffuse into the air around it. Also emerging from the laptop is a lightbulb as a metaphor for a significant idea or revelation. Use a surrealist style and blue and purple tones."

Generative AI (GenAI) tools are being integrated into many aspects of society, including resources provided by the library. This guide will help you learn how to harness this new technology as part of your research.

The tools highlighted within this guide are intended to complement, and not to replace, the traditional academic research process.

While many articles are now being made available for free via open access, the vast majority of academic research materials are still locked behind publisher paywalls. For completeness when researching your topic, be sure to replicate your search via a library database or journal.

 New to using AI? See the Understanding & Using AI guide for a general overview of what GenAI is and how to get started.

How can AI support the academic research process?

Generative AI research tools can help you...

  1. Identify general research topic ideas
  2. Refine research topic ideas and questions (relevant subtopics, topic intersections, etc.)
  3. Plan a search strategy (identify useful databases to search, formulate keyword and phrase searches)
  4. Search for sources and reveal relationships among sources and authors*
  5. Manage sources and notes
  6. Assist with writing mechanics 

Your instructor may even prohibit you from using it in your coursework. Refer to your syllabus for policies regarding the use of AI tools.

* Many AI tools such as Perplexity, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Research Rabbit, Connected Papers, and more are limited in the content they can retrieve and reference when compared to what is available through the library's subscription-based databases.

AI for Scholarly Literature Research diagram by Kimberly S. Grotewold is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.