Evaluating all information for credibility is highly recommended, regardless where you find it. This is true for generative AI responses, especially given the information presented above. There are many different tools, checklists, and strategies to help you evaluate your sources. None of them are black-and-white checklists for determining if a source is credible and if you should use it.
Here are two strategies for evaluating information provided by generative AI tools:
Never take what ChatGPT or other A.I. tells you at face value.
Look to see if other reliable sources contain the same information and can confirm what the A.I. source says. This could be as simple as searching for a Wikipedia entry on the topic or doing a Google search to see if a person ChatGPT mentions exists. When you look at multiple sources, you maximize lateral reading and can help avoid bias from a single source.
Watch Crash Course's "Check Yourself with Lateral Reading" video (14 min) to learn more about how to do lateral reading.
Closed captions and transcript are included.
If a generative AI tool provides a reference, you MUST confirm that the source exists. Generative A.I. tools are really good at lying to you about sources!
Trying copying the citation into a search tool like Google Scholar or the Library's OneSearch. Do a Google search for the lead author. Check for the publication in the Library's publications finder.
Second, if the source is real, check that it contains what the A.I. tool says it does. Read the source or its abstract.
One of the most important steps in research is brainstorming keywords. These keywords:
However sometimes it can be hard to think of keywords, especially if you aren't familiar with the topic you're researching!
We recommend first reviewing our brainstorming keywords activity. After forming a baseline understanding of your keywords, it can be helpful to use A.I. to further generate keywords to use in your searches.
Try using some of our fill-in-the-blank MadLib activities to help get you started!
Generative A.I. tools like ChatGPT or Gemini are extremely helpful during the brainstorming stage of research! Try using the prompts below to help in your research.
Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words to create a well-structured prompt for your A.I. tool.
"I want you to [verb] [noun] about [topic]. [Provide relevant background information]. [Specific instructions or guidelines]. [Desired tone, e.g., formal, informal, persuasive]."
| "Create a list of academic keywords about [your research topic] that I can use in an academic database such as [the name of a specific database]. Include both general and specific keywords that would be easy for a community college student to understand." |
Academic Keywords Related to Making Tuition Affordable
Remember, the more specific and detailed your prompt, the better results you'll get from the A.I..
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