LibGuides: Library Research Award: Ways to use AI

Using AI for Research

Students are not required to use artificial intelligence tools (chatbots, video generators, art generators, code generators, text generators) for research, but if you are going to use AI, you need to use it properly! You are encouraged to use tools such as library databases, computer programs (word processing, graphic design, web builders, video editing software), and the internet to complete projects submitted for the Library Research Award. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology and tool. Like any tool, AI has its limitations.

Text on this page is based heavily on the handout posted on the National History Day guide as downloaded on March 18, 2024.

Ways you may use AI:

Brainstorming topic ideas
Brainstorming key words to research a topic
Looking for resources you can find in a school or local library
Reviewing your writing for grammar and punctuation mistakes
Simplifying the language in a source to make it more understandable

For example, you can use an AI chatbot to begin your research.
If you are interested in WWII, you could ask a chatbot to help you brainstorm topic ideas and keywords for your research.

Your analysis and the wording of your analysis should be uniquely your own. While AI tools can recommend sources, they cannot provide accurate evidence or quotations. AI tools often hallucinate when asked to do so.

For example, AI is known to hallucinate or provide made-up or incorrect information, especially with more recent information, or if you write phrases AI doesn’t know. For example:

Question: What is the world record for crossing the English Channel entirely on foot?
Chatbot: As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the world record for crossing the English Channel entirely on foot was held by Sarah
Thomas, an American open-water swimmer.
(Oops! You can’t cross the English Channel entirely on foot! It’s a body of water, so Chatbot does not correctly answer the question.)

Ways you may not use AI:

Letting AI create your project for you.
Letting AI do your topic analysis for you.
Do not use AI to do any writing, create charts/graphs, or develop any part of your research or creative work.

If you used AI for the project or creative work you are basing your LRA application on, explain how you used AI tool(s) in your abstract or project summary.

A bibliography is not required for the LRA application. However, if your final project or creative work requires a citation list, bibliography or similar list of sources, AI needs to be cited properly. Include the tool(s) and date(s) in an annotated bibliography and iand explain how you used AI in the annotation. Both MLA and The Chicago Manual of Style include annotations for AI tools. AI tools are secondary sources.