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BMS105/132 Research Skills Guide: AI

Using AI

Generative AI tools can be helpful study companions — they can support your thinking, help you explore new ideas, and guide you toward useful resources.

You might use Gen AI to:

  • Generate topic ideas or refine research questions
  • Clarify tricky terms or complex concepts
  • Suggest useful sources or recommend databases
  • Improve your keywords or search strategies

Important: Always check your subject outline to see if using AI tools is permitted. Using AI without permission could breach academic integrity rules.

Think of AI as a starting point — a way to support your research, not replace your critical thinking or use of credible academic sources.

See more on AI:

AI: Using Generative AI Responsibly

Generative AI tools can help you brainstorm ideas and refine keywords for your portfolio, but they do not search academic databases and may provide inaccurate or fabricated references. Always verify and critically engage with AI output.


Why Use AI in Activity 1?

You’ll use AI to:

  • Narrow your topic.
  • Identify keywords.
  • Practice iterative prompt design and critical thinking.

How to make good prompts

  • Be Specific

    • Include the topic, context, and what you need (e.g., summary, keywords, examples).
    • Example: “Summarize recent research (last 5 years) on the health impacts of shiftwork for healthcare professionals.”
       

  • Add Constraints

    • Limit by time frame, word count, or format.
    • Example: “Provide 5 keywords and a 150-word summary.”
       

  • Give Context

    • Explain why you need the information (e.g., for academic research, portfolio activity).
    • Example: “Suggest keywords for database searching in a health science context.”
       

  • Request Structure

    • Ask for bullet points, headings, or categories.
    • Example: “List key themes under headings: Physical Health, Mental Health, Work Performance.”
       

  • Avoid Vague Language

    • Don’t use prompts like “Tell me everything about…” or “Explain AI.”
       

  • Iterate and Refine

    • Highlight useful parts of the response and build your next prompt from them.
    • Example: “Expand on the mental health impacts mentioned in your previous response.”
       

  • Check for Accuracy

    • Always verify references and facts in Primo/Trove before using them.

Ethics & Integrity

Academic integrity: Only use AI if permitted in your subject outline.
Plagiarism: Cite AI-generated content correctly.
Accuracy: Verify all information and references.
Privacy: Never share personal or sensitive data.

For more information: 

Examples of good vs poor prompts

Poor Prompt:
“Tell me everything about shiftwork.”
(Too broad, no context, likely generic output.)

Good Prompt:
“Summarise recent research (last 5 years) on the health impacts of shiftwork for healthcare professionals. Include key themes and suggest 5 keywords for database searching.”
(Specific, time-bound, context-rich.)

Checklist: Before using AI output

✅ Verify facts and references in Primo/Trove.
✅ Highlight useful ideas or keywords.
✅ Refine your next prompt based on highlighted points.
✅ Never copy AI text directly—paraphrase and cite appropriately.
 

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