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 researchers 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, ResearchRabbit, R Discovery, Iris.AI.
- 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
