ChatGPT: A Budding AI Blessing or an Ominous Farewell to Quality Academic Research – An Investigation.
1*Odulaja G. O. and 2Akinwande D. O.
1,2Department of Computer and Information Science, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun, Nigeria.
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/6202.61.0171
Abstract
The growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT in academic research in recent times has sparked intense debate among academic researchers over their potential to enhance efficiency versus their negative impact on research integrity and intellectual depth. This study investigates the implications of incorporating ChatGPT into various stages of academic research, comparing it with traditional methods in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and ethical considerations. Drawing on survey data from 355 academic researchers across diverse disciplines, the study assesses usage patterns, perceptions on AI accuracy, and concerns related to plagiarism and originality. Pearson’s product moment correlation and Spearman’s Ranked Correlation statistics were applied to explore relationships between AI tool usage and variables such as research efficiency, perceived quality, and ethical concerns. Findings reveal that while AI tools are moderately used, especially for literature reviews and data collection, the frequency of use shows weak, non-significant correlations with perceived accuracy or academic role. Ethical concerns were noted but did not significantly influence perceptions of AI efficiency. Despite their advantages in speed and accessibility, AI tools are perceived as limited in delivering the critical thinking, creativity, and contextual understanding inherent in and associated with traditional research. The study concludes that while ChatGPT and similar tools offer valuable support, they should not replace the human-driven processes that define scholarly excellence. Responsible integration, grounded in ethical awareness and academic rigor, is essential for preserving the quality and credibility of research in this AI era.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Ethical Concerns, Academic Integrity, Ominous Farewell..