Handbook of Social Justice Theory and Research
Grassroots Engagement and Social Justice Through Cooperative Extension
Assessment for Inclusion in Higher Education : Promoting Equity and Social Justice in Assessment
Health Equity, Social Justice and Human Rights
Braiding Sweetgrass : Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Renewable Energy-Based Projects, and Digitalization
Green Chemistry Education : Recent Developments
Carbon Criminals, Climate Crimes
The Routledge Companion to Environmental Planning
Chemicals without Harm

AI-Powered Research Tools

*Note: Check your syllabus and ask your professor if AI-powered research tools are allowed in your class and if there are restrictions in their use. Professors will have different policies on the use of AI for their classes. If the policy is not clearly stated, check with your professor before using the below tools. (See also the AI at Emmanuel pages)

Overview

Artificial intelligence: 

  • "A branch of computer science that aims to create machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning from experience (machine learning), understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, solving problems, and making decisions" (University of Illinois Chicago). 
  • See also AI Definitions (Stanford University).

AI-Powered Research Tools assist with:

  • Literature searching
  • Literature mapping/visualization
  • Literature summarization
  • Working with Data

Note: Although writing generation AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini are not the focus of this guide, there may be overlap with the tools used as research assistance. Some research assistance tools also generate text. Always check with the professor before using these tools and cite use when appropriate.

AI-Powered Research Tools

These tools are best used as a supplement to traditional database searches in your discipline (Browse Library Guides | A to Z List of Databases) along with Google Scholar.
 

Tips for creating prompts:

Note: AI-Powered tools may produce "hallucinations" in both citations and text-generated content. Content should be always checked for accuracy and that the sources are not from predatory publishers. 

We recommend thoroughly reviewing a platform's policies and, given the unsettled nature of the law in this area, that you consider seeking legal advice before uploading any copyrighted materials or your own personal work to AI tools.

Literature Review, Mapping, and Summarization Tools

Google-like search engine

Search Engines with Generative AI features (ChatGPT-like)

Citation Network Analysis/Literature Mapping

Data Visualization Tools

Verifying Citations (See also information on predatory publishing)

Purpose: Since AI-Powered tools may produce "hallucinations" in both citations and text-generated content, it is important that you insure accuracy of information. ("New York lawyers sanctioned for using fake ChatGPT cases in legal brief" presents as just one example of what might happen if you do not check the content.)

Books

Checking if the Book/Book Chapter Exists

  1. Do a search for the book in Google Books using the book title and, then, the author name(s) using Google Books Advanced Search.
  2. Do a search for the book in WorldCat using the book title and, then, the author name(s).
  3. If the book exists, check the Library's Online Catalog to see if it is available through Emmanuel.

Accessing Books/Book Chapter not available at Emmanuel

Articles

Checking if the Journal Article Exists

  1. Check if the article is found in Google Scholar.
    • Search by  article title  putting the article title in quotes.
    • Search in the Advanced Search by the author(s) last name(s).
  2. Search for the specific article by the   journal title 

 

Checking Peer Reviewed Status

  1. For Emmanuel owned items, search for the journal title using the  A-Z Journals by Title list to verify the journal's peer-reviewed status.
  2. For non-Emmanuel owned journal articles, explore the journal's home page for further information about journal. Be aware that some journals that are predatory will claim to be peer reviewed. (See further information about Predatory Sources.)

Accessing Full Text for articles not available at Emmanuel

Web Sites

  1. Search Google for the web sources.
  2. Check the Wayback Machine for older internet sources that may no longer be posted.

Verifying any generated content

If the Citations Listed Exist

  1. Start by checking the text against the content of the cited source. For example, are summaries consistent with the full text of the source? 
    If the library does not own the source, use our Interlibrary Loan Service to access the source - Request Article/Book form. Additionally, librarians can help see if the source is available at any of the local libraries.
  2. See if other sources say the same thing as the cited source including seeing if there are newer or better sources covering the topic.
  3. Conduct your own search for scholarly articles and books using the library subscription databases along with using the other recommended news and web sites on the library subject guide pages.

If the Citations Do Not Exist (are hallucinations) or the Content is Not Appropriately Cited

  1. See if other sources say the same thing as the content including seeing if there are newer or better sources covering the topic.
  2. Conduct your own search for scholarly articles and books using the library subscription databases along with using the other recommended news and web sites on the library subject guide pages.

Using Lateral Reading to Evaluate Sources on the Internet


Stanford History Education Group
See also How to Find Better Information Online: Click Restraint by Stanford History Education Group

Ethical Issues/Other Considerations

  • AI-Powered tools may produce hallucinations in both citations and text-generated content. Content should be always checked for accuracy. Additionally, always check that sources are not from predatory publishers.
  • It is not recommended to upload your person work (especially if not yet published) or PDFs of articles to these tools without thorough evaluation of the tool's policies concerning use of these materials.
  • It is important to identify the data sources used for the tools including if they are only using openly accessible content.
    See further information on predatory publishing.
  • Publishers may have guidelines for how authors can use AI Tools. For example, see Science Directs policy on AI Use.
  • Citing of AI content. See FAQ on Citing ChatGPT.

References/Further Resources

 

Emmanuel College Contact

Diane Zydlewski

Diane Zydlewski (she/her)
Associate Librarian for Reference, Instruction, and Outreach
zydlewsd@emmanuel.edu | 617-735-9927
Schedule an Appointment