Mainstream Generative AI tools can be quite helpful in parts of the research process. However, there are some things you should not fully rely on it for.
Explore the following Resource Type Advantages and Disadvantages table to learn more.
| Resource Type |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
Generative AI
|
- Good for brainstorming ideas and generating research questions
- Great tool for developing keywords and search strategies
- Can provide simplified explanations of complex topics
- Good resource for summarisations of lengthy texts
|
- Not advised for finding scholarly sources
- i.e., often does not have access to sources behind paywalls
- Confirming source credibility can take extra effort
- Limited to training data and open web content (when web search is available)
- Risk of hallucinations (generating false information)
|
|
|
- Excellent resource for broadly searching scholarly research
- Shows if article is available at NKU
- Indexes primarily academic journals and scholarly resources
- Provides citation tracing to see what subsequent articles cited a work
- Provides citation suggestions in most common formats
|
- Not all resources will be freely available
- Broad search may miss relevant results found in subject-specific databases
- Filter options are not as robust as library databases
|
|
|
- Great starting point for research searches
- Searches a wide range of databases and material types
- Easy to find and use interface
- Good option when not particular about source types
|
- Does not search all library resources comprehensively
- Resources are not searched with full depth
- May miss important articles that subject-specific databases would reveal
- Information overload from searching too many source types simultaneously
|
|
|
- Narrows scope for fewer but more relevant results
- Robust filter options for precise searching
- Most provide citation suggestions in common formats
- Easy article access with Interlibrary Loan option
- Powerful advanced search features
|
- Not as intuitive as simple web search or Google Scholar
- Requires NKU enrollment for access due to paywalls
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