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Generative AI and Research

This guide is designed to support faculty and instructors as they navigate research and information literacy concerns caused by the rise of generative AI technology.

Introduction

Library staff designed this guide to address generative AI through the lens of information literacy. Within the library, we use the ACRL Information Literacy Framework and its six concepts as a guiding document for instruction, tutorials, supporting materials, and more. The Framework focuses on threshold concepts and mindsets which allows for flexibility in a rapidly evolving information landscape.

This guide addresses AI issues related to authority, authorship and intellectual property as well as the impacts of AI content creation. It also explores how AI will disrupt the research process and research assignments. 

Structure and Design Overview

This guide contains four sections - each section will help you reflect on these questions:

In each area of inquiry you will encounter the issue at stake, reflection questions for you and your students to think about, and resources to support your next steps or dig deeper into the issue. 

Goals of this Guide

We crafted reflection questions for instructors to help: 

  • evaluate how AI is impacting your disciplinary practices
  • redesign or revise curriculum, discussions, or assignments

Below are some examples for instructors:

  • What are core “research” practices or skills that I want my students to learn and be able to apply?
  • Do my outcomes or assessment strategy reward curiosity over "the" answer?
  • How can I guide students to make informed decisions that assess the function, benefits, and costs of AI creation processes? 
  • What does ethical research look like in my discipline?

There are also questions for your students which you can use in class for discussion or as part of a larger AI assignment. 

The library can be a partner with you in this work - please reach out to us with questions or ideas. We are happy to work with you.