Skip to Main Content

Using AI for Your Research

AI tools that can assist with each step of the research process

1. Developing keywords & search strings

For this step, you can use generative AI tools, which will be listed below. Try the following prompt:

Act as an expert academic librarian. My research topic is [chosen topic]. Could you please give me a search string I can use to search for that topic in library databases? And tell me which databases I should use.

 

Using a detailed prompt is essential when using AI chatbots. Consider using the formula below to create prompts so that you get the output you need:

  • Role: Define the role you want the AI to assume
  • Context: Provide additional context for depth and relevance
  • Action: Specify the task at hand
  • Expectations: Give clear instructions for what needs to be accomplished

2. Searching the literature

In addition to library databases, you should consider searching for your topic in AI literature search tools (below), which have some unique capabilities.

3. Reading sources

The tools below work like chatbots. Once you upload the PDF of an article, you can ask the tool questions about it.

4. Writing your manuscript

For this step, you can use generative AI tools, which will be listed below. Try the following prompt:

Act as an expert academic editor. Provide feedback on the submitted writing, highlighting areas for improvement and suggesting ways to enhance the piece's overall quality: [Provide your writing sample]

 

Other notable AI tools for research

Below are other AI tools by category that may aid in the research process.
 

Function Tools
Data analysis tools Tableau - Data analytics and visualization platform; Tableau Pulse and Einstein Copilot are AI options within the platform (requires paid subscription to access)
Systematic/scoping review tools

Covidence - Tool for screening and extracting data from studies for reviews; uses machine learning to predict studies' relevancy (tool paid for by N.C. A&T; sign up for an account)

ASReview - Tool for screening and extracting data from studies for reviews; uses machine learning to predict studies' relevancy
Transcription tools

Zoom AI - Summarizes and transcribes meetings and chats (tool paid for by N.C. A&T)

Notta - Summarizes and transcribes audio/video recordings (requires paid subscription to access)
Textual analysis tools Voyant - Web-based reading and analysis environment for digital texts