Is ChatGBT the new co-author? How to use ChatGBT for your Ph.D. studies.
We are all experiencing how AI has taken center stage in our lives. Everyone has their way of utilizing it; some use it as a personal assistant, and some use it to find an answer to every single question they have. These are all fascinating. While there are a lot of discussions on the ethical considerations of AI in academic studies, I saw the news about the Elsevier publication using the ChatCPT as a co-author, which is a game changer. Of course, there will be much discussion on whether using it in our studies or academic life is okay. This groundbreaking step will move forward in the evolution of scientific studies. Like all other technological tools, if we use the inclusion of ChatGBT with our studies safely and properly, it will lead to significant improvement. Let me share my ideas on utilizing ChatGBT in Ph.D. studies.
1. Make it your mind-mapping tool!
I ask many questions about my research interests to ChatGBT even though sometimes I know the answers. Because when you are focusing on complex research topics, it becomes harder to explain them more simply. It generates answers to your questions in a summary if you ask it to explain it in a single paragraph. It leads to saving time while organizing the answers in your mind. Ph.D. students know it is sometimes hard for us to manage our thoughts on a single topic. We try to find answers to complex scientific questions in our thesis, which prevents us from thinking simply. Can you imagine how it will help us to map out ideas? It will be a time-saving mind-mapping tool.
2. You have a new editor for your academic writing.
ChatGPT also serves as a valuable tool for editing and refining academic writing. By sharing your draft with ChatGPT, you can receive assistance in identifying grammar and spelling errors, improving language clarity, and enhancing overall coherence. It suggests alternative phrasing, provides ideas for sentence structure, and offers guidance on concise expression. These all increase the overall quality of the piece you are working on. I am discussing something other than asking ChatGBT to write your whole thesis. I suggest using it as a tool that helps you to improve your writing. For sure, the accuracy of the suggestions done by ChatGBT should be evaluated by the experts at the end of the day.
3. Faster literature review is not a dream anymore!
Undertaking a literature review can be challenging due to the vast amount of existing literature and navigating the information effectively. We Ph.D. students discuss where to store the sheer volume of publications we found after the literature reviews. When you need to find a specific detail or important piece of information, it can be really hard to find the correct information by going through all the literature there. In a situation like that, ChatGBT can assist to identify key papers, authors, or research topics for you to consider. It also provides you with recommendations for relevant literature, suggests influential studies, or offers different perspectives on your topic.
4. Use it as your thesis jury.
One of my friends is preparing for her thesis defense and mentioned that she uses ChatGBT as her thesis jury. She tells an argument and asks ChatGBT to generate questions about it. It is such a fun way to get ready for a not that fun defense.
These are all suggestions that are tested by myself. Overall, I am using it mainly as a time-saving tool. I wonder how we can use it more and more efficiently. I am dying to hear more suggestions as my friend gave. If you have, leave comments!
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