AI literacy guide

AI for Research: A Support Tool, Not a Researcher

Artificial Intelligence can support different stages of the research process — from idea development to writing — but it does not replace scholarly judgment, evidence, or academic responsibility.

Use AI to assist thinking, not to think for you.

Where AI Can Support the Research Process

AI can be helpful at several non-substitutive stages of research:

  • Exploring and narrowing research topics
  • Clarifying research questions or objectives
  • Identifying keywords and search strategies
  • Summarizing articles for initial understanding
  • Improving language clarity and structure

These uses save time and improve organization — but the researcher remains fully responsible for accuracy and originality.

Using AI in Literature Review (Safely)

AI can assist with understanding literature, but it should never replace reading original sources.

  • Ask AI to summarize a paper after you read it
  • Request comparisons between concepts or theories
  • Generate questions to guide deeper reading
  • Explain complex terminology in simpler language
AI summaries may miss nuance, limitations, or methodology — always verify with the original article.

What AI Should NOT Be Used for in Research

  • Fabricating data, results, or references
  • Generating citations without verification
  • Writing full research papers for submission
  • Interpreting data without researcher review
If AI output appears “too perfect,” it requires extra scrutiny.

AI for Academic Writing Support

AI can support the writing process without compromising integrity:

  • Improving grammar, tone, and clarity
  • Rewriting sentences for conciseness
  • Checking coherence between paragraphs
  • Suggesting structure for sections

Final wording, arguments, and citations must always be reviewed and approved by the researcher.

Examples of Responsible Research Prompts

  • “Help me refine this research question for clarity.”
  • “Summarize the key arguments of this article I have read.”
  • “Suggest keywords for searching academic databases.”
  • “Explain this theory in simple terms for better understanding.”

Reflection: Using AI Responsibly in Research

Before using AI in your research, ask yourself:

  • Am I still doing the critical thinking?
  • Can I explain and defend this work myself?
  • Have I verified AI output with reliable sources?

Responsible AI use strengthens research skills — misuse weakens academic credibility.

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