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Using AI tools in Research

Ethics of Using AI

The Ethics of Using AI in the Research Process

Most of the tools explored in this guide function as AI-assisted tools, rather than Generative AI like ChatGPT. This important distinction means that using these tools is not equivalent to creating new content. The scholarly conversation about this issue is ongoing and growing--to dig deeper, try a literature review. ðŸ˜‰

Researcher Razia Aliani perhaps says it best: "Using AI in Research is Ethical, NOT using it responsibly ISN'T." 

Image taken from the LinkedIn page of Razia Aliani. 

Infographic titled 'Ethical Implications of AI-Assisted Research' by Razia Aliani. It outlines ten ethical concerns related to AI in research: 1) Validity of Sources – AI may use unreliable sources; avoid by using peer-reviewed tools and plugins. 2) Research Misrepresentation – AI may oversimplify findings; avoid by using AI for ideation only. 3) Inherent Bias – AI may reflect biased training data; avoid by cross-validating outputs. 4) Plagiarism Potential – AI may mimic existing works; avoid by paraphrasing and checking originality. 5) Ethical Review – AI cannot follow ethical standards; avoid by ensuring human oversight. 6) Data Analysis – AI lacks ethical understanding; avoid by having humans interpret final data. 7) Dependence Risk – Overuse may hinder critical thinking; use AI as a supplement, not a replacement. 8) Miscommunication in Public Health – AI may mislead; avoid by adding context and expert review. 9) Misinformation Risk – AI can generate false info; avoid by verifying with trusted sources. 10) Includes a photo of Razia Aliani with 'Science Innovator' label.

Ethical Decision-Making Activity

  1. Scenario 1: AI in Academic Writing
    • You are writing a literature review for your dissertation. You find a generative AI tool that can help you draft sections of your paper. What ethical considerations should you keep in mind? How do you ensure the integrity of your work?
  2. Scenario 2: AI in Data Analysis
    • You are working with a dataset that has some missing values. An AI tool can generate plausible values to fill these gaps. What are the ethical implications of using this tool? How do you ensure the validity and reliability of your research findings?
  3. Scenario 3: AI in Visual Content Creation
    • You want to create visual representations of your research findings using a generative AI tool. What ethical issues might arise from using AI-generated images in your publication? How do you address these concerns?