Using AI in Research

This webpage is a quick guide to how the University Libraries can help with AI including AI based research tools, guidelines, and services for how to either integrate AI into your courses or get assistance with AI as a researcher or for personal exploration.

Interested in exploring AI? Attend a creative AI workshop offered throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.

Workshops & Instruction

The University Libraries offers a wide range of AI centered instruction, whether for use in research or creative projects. Librarians can help infuse AI into an instruction session depending on faculty demand. This could include helping students use AI more effectively and ethically, and how to use AI research assistants in our databases. Faculty should contact their Library Liaison for research centered AI instruction for classes or fill out our information literacy instruction request form. If faculty would like more technology and tool-driven AI instruction with multimedia, fill out our technology instruction request form.

Technology Services also offers workshops available for the whole Appalachian State community ranging from “Creating Music with AI” to “AI in Multimedia”. Explore current options and sign up for workshops.

Getting AI Help as a Researcher

To speak to a librarian about how to use AI in conducting your research or exploring AI tools and related topics, you can set up a one-on-one consultation either in-person or over Zoom.

Assignment Design

Beyond instruction, for faculty considering integrating AI tools and technology into their research assignments, librarians can assist in figuring out how to incorporate AI in ways that promote critical thinking, information literacy, and digital literacy through assignment design.

What might developing AI literacy skills through research assignments look like? Consider the following AI Literacy Frameworks:

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Literacy Framework (PDF) by Yale University
Artificial Intelligence + ACRL Frameworks for Information Literacy by Florida International University
Promoting students’ AI literacy by Oregon State University
Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom by Chapman University

For more information about AI tools that might be useful or how to successfully integrate AI and relevant literacy skills into any research assignments, contact your Library Liaison or consider a consultation with a member of the Libraries’. Remember to also consult the App State AI Syllabus Guidance (PDF) for developing AI Policy.

AI Features in Our Databases

Several of our database vendors are exploring and beginning to integrate more AI tools into their platforms. Depending on the vendor, these AI tools may incorporate the following features:

Natural Language Search

Natural Language Search (NLS) mode is an advanced search feature that allows users to query using everyday language. Instead of relying on complex keywords or Boolean operators, NLS enables users to form searches in a more conversational manner.
NLS mode leverages Natural Language Processing (NLP) to understand the intent and contextual clues within queries, making it particularly beneficial for researchers who need to find specific information quickly or are accustomed to using natural language queries in their daily workflows. This makes NLS mode a powerful tool for researchers seeking comprehensive and accurate information through natural language questions. (EBSCO’s AI Natural Language Search Mode)

Article/Chapter Summary

Article and/or chapter summaries provided by AI tools provide users with key takeaways to help understand if an item is relevant. Tools may also help define key concepts and terms as well as highlight related content.

Research Assistant and Other Tools

Some databases are beta-testing a research assistant that can generate the most relevant items to a research topic, help determine relevance, and suggest similar topics. Be aware that these research assistants often only pull from the contents of the databases in which they are located and are likely to miss other relevant items in other databases.

Many new AI tools are being developed and launched on an ongoing basis within our database and more features may evolve going forward. If you have questions about any of the database tools, please contact us.

AI Resources

AI at Appstate:

AI at Appstate provides resources, tools, support, and much more. There’s also an updated list of the AI tools that are provided and supported by Appalachian State.
Use Cases for Students, Faculty, and Staff.

AI Tutorials & Tools:

Addressing Privacy & Copyright Concerns

Basic Privacy Guidelines

Protect confidential information - Do not enter confidential or legally restricted data into an AI tool. If you are not sure whether you should share certain data, please review App State’s Data Classification Policy.
Assume all information shared will be made public - Third-party AI systems collect, analyze, and store information shared with that system. Therefore, users should treat all information shared with an AI tool as if it will become public.
Assume longevity of data - Understand that once data has been shared with an AI system, it is nearly impossible to remove it.

Basic Copyright Guidelines

Be transparent about the use of AI. If AI tools are used in the research process, it is best practice to include a detailed description of the tools used and how they were applied.
Be aware of the potential for AI plagiarism. Many Gen AI tools are trained on large datasets which can include copyrighted material.
Be cautious about sharing copyrighted material with Gen AI. Third-party AI systems collect, analyze, and store information shared with that system. Therefore, users should treat all information shared with an AI tool as if it will become public.

University Libraries