AI for researching a topic

here are three broad categories of tools that can support the finding information stage of research:

• Chatbots (e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude) – good for brainstorming ideas, clarifying concepts, and drafting possible search terms.
• AI research assistants and literature mapping tools (e.g. Elicit, Research Rabbit, Connected Papers) – designed to suggest related papers, summarise findings, and show how studies link together.
• Academic discovery tools (e.g. LibrarySearch, Google Scholar, Scopus) – the main platforms for finding reliable, citable sources and full-text access through Abertay.

These categories are introduced here to give you a map of the tools available. Later sections compare their strengths and limitations so you can decide when to use each one.

AI can be a useful starting point when you’re unfamiliar with a subject.

You can use AI to:

• Generate overviews of a new topic
• Identify potential keywords or search terms
• Suggest questions you might explore further
• Break down complex theories into simpler language

But remember: always verify what you learn by checking academic sources in LibrarySearch, Google Scholar, or subject databases. If you’d like an overview of the main platforms available, see our Search and discovery tools guide.

Tip: Start with LibrarySearch as your main academic search tool.

AI outputs are not always accurate, reliable, or transparent.

Key point: AI tools may generate fake references — always check suggested books or articles in LibrarySearch to make sure they really exist.

For full frameworks and detailed guidance on evaluating AI content, see Evaluating AI-Generated Content. For details on how to use frameworks like CRAAP, SIFT, or the 5Ws in practice, see Evaluation Frameworks Explained.

Now that you’ve seen the main types of tools, here’s how they compare in practice.

AI assistants and academic discovery tools are not the same.

Key differences:

• Academic discovery tools (e.g. LibrarySearch, Google Scholar, Scopus) retrieve lists of real, citable sources you can evaluate directly.
• Chatbots (e.g. ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude) generate summaries or explanations, sometimes blending academic and non-academic material.
• AI research assistants and literature mapping tools (e.g. Elicit, Research Rabbit) can suggest real articles and show how studies connect — but don’t rely on them alone. Always check original sources in LibrarySearch or subject databases for accuracy and full text.

For more detail, see Search Engines vs AI Assistants: What’s the Difference?

See also:

• Google Scholar – A free academic search engine that finds scholarly articles, books, and theses.

• Semantic Scholar – A research tool with AI features that highlight key papers and concepts.

• AI research assistants and literature mapping tools – Tools that suggest related papers, summarise findings, or show how studies connect (e.g. Elicit, Research Rabbit).

You may combine general-purpose AI chatbots (like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) with academic research tools and library resources in your research process.

Using chatbots (exploration stage):

Here’s a continuous 8-step workflow showing how chatbots and academic tools can work together.

1. Brainstorm keywords – ask ChatGPT or Copilot to suggest search terms
2. Clarify concepts – get plain-English explanations of difficult ideas, then check them against the full article
3. Draft search strings – experiment with how to combine keywords before testing them in a database
4. Check LibrarySearch – test your keywords in LibrarySearch or Google Scholar to find academic articles

Using academic tools and library resources (verification stage):

1. Evaluate outputs – apply frameworks like CRAAP, SIFT, or the 5Ws (see Evaluating AI-Generated Content and Evaluation Frameworks Explained
2. Rely on real sources – build your references from academic sources, not AI summaries
3. Check access – if you find articles, use LibKey Nomad (a browser plugin for one‑click access) or paste the title into LibrarySearch to reach Abertay full text or request alternatives
4. Trace ideas – see Citation Chaining Techniques to follow how ideas develop through academic literature

Specialist tools like GenAI Research Assistants and AI-Powered Literature Mapping Tools can also help at this stage — for example by suggesting related papers, showing how studies connect, or summarising key findings. Check the original sources they suggest — use LibrarySearch if you need better access or want to find related material.

This approach saves time while keeping your research rigorous. For dissertations and projects, systematic searching is expected, documented, and repeatable.

See also Search Skills: Finding Information Effectively for guidance on building strong search strategies.

Once you’ve found relevant articles, see AI for Academic Reading for support with reading and comprehension.

You’ll often use a mix of tools in your research process. This table shows when an academic search engine is most appropriate, and when an AI assistant might be helpful for exploration.

Example: you might use an AI Assistant to brainstorm ideas, then switch to LibrarySearch to find peer-reviewed research to evidence the results.

Tip: If accuracy really matters — like for assignments — don’t rely solely on AI. Check sources yourself using academic tools like LibrarySearch.  See Search and Discovery Tools for help choosing the right one.

AI can help you study smarter, but your assessments still require academic sources. Always follow your assessment brief; if it explicitly asks you to analyse or critique AI output, follow those instructions.

Always remember:

• AI-generated content is not a citable source — always use peer-reviewed work instead (unless your assessment specifically asks you to analyse AI output)
• Check if you need to acknowledge AI use if you've used it to support your process (see Acknowledging AI use)