Research

The rapid growth of Generative AI offers researchers exciting opportunities to innovate and create. However, it also brings up important ethical issues, especially related to sensitive data. Researchers need to follow a strong ethical framework that meets university guidelines, global standards, and Australian regulations.

Common ways that researchers are using gen-AI include:

Research design

• Gen-AI tools can help in the early stages: identify research designs, plan proposals, and generate/refine ideas.

Editing assistance

• They can support proofreading: improve language, clarity, grammar, spelling, and consistency.

Content assistance

• When used appropriately, Gen-AI tools help find, synthesise, filter, summarise, and critique information.
• Some tools can generate images, videos, and presentations.

Finding literature and references

• Literature mapping tools (non-Gen-AI) include Connected Papers, Inciteful, Litmaps, Research Rabbit, R Discovery
• Reference-finding and credibility tools (non-Gen-AI) include Elicit, Scholarcy, Scite, Semantic Scholar.

Translating texts

• AI tools translate research findings for different audiences.
• Be mindful of accuracy.

Collecting, generating, and analysing data

• AI aids data collection and analysis: identify patterns, predict outcomes, create spreadsheets/tables, and organise data.
• Many datasets are sensitive; uploading should be avoided where prohibited.
• Some Gen-AI tools can generate synthetic data to protect privacy.

Publishing research

• Tools can help identify suitable journals (example: B!SON).

Drafting grant applications

• AI can assist in drafting grant proposals, but use with caution.
• Risks include privacy breaches, intellectual property concerns, and potential inaccuracies.
• Follow policy guidance from the ARC and NHMRC when using AI tools

Adapted from: Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in research