Author: WordPress User [sif4]

Why You Shouldn’t Let AI Do Your Bibliography for You

WordPress User [sif4] Information Skills, Learning, Referencing

Look, I’ve been there. It’s 2am and you’ve got an assignment due later that day. Your references are looking a bit thin, and the temptation to ask an AI tool to whip up some citations for you can be irresistible. One prompt and you’ve got a neat list of journal articles and books. Perfect, right? Well… not always.

Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch!): AI tools are great at generating convincing-looking references. The titles sound plausible, author names are familiar, and the journals look legitimate. But sometimes appearances are deceptive, and the references have no connection to reality. This is what people mean when they talk about AI hallucinations. The tool invents a source that looks perfectly credible but doesn’t actually exist.

Why does this matter?

  • The most important reason is: that you shouldn’t put anything in your bibliography that you haven’t actually read. A bibliography isn’t just a list of things that might support your argument; it’s a record of the sources you’ve genuinely engaged with. If you haven’t read the book, article, or paper, you can’t know whether it really says what you think it says, or whether it fits your argument at all.
  • Putting a made-up citation into your work undermines the credibility of your whole assignment.
  • Your lecturers and tutors can (and often will) check your references. If they can’t find them, it’s a problem.
  • Good referencing isn’t just box-ticking, it’s how you show you’ve done the reading and can back up your ideas. It’s also about giving proper credit and joining the scholarly conversation.
  • Universities take referencing seriously: misusing or inventing sources can be flagged as poor or even unacceptable academic practice, with real consequences for your marks.

So what should you do?

  • Verify, verify, verify! If an AI gives you a reference, always double-check it against a reliable source – in the library catalogue, Google Scholar, or a subject database.
  • Ask your librarian. That’s what we’re here for. We can help you find legitimate, citable sources, show you how to search databases effectively, and help you guide you through proper referencing styles so you don’t have to wrestle with formatting at 2 a.m.

AI has lots of uses, but it’s not infallible, and it’s definitely not a replacement for critical thinking (or a decent library search).

So next time you’re tempted to drop those AI generated citations straight into your bibliography, stop, double-check, and if you need help, turn to your librarian, although if it’s 2 a.m., the library catalogue is probably your best bet!

For more information on AI can be found here.

AI and the Library. Week Seven: The Ethics of Using Generative AI (Part Two)

WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning, Research Leave a comment

Be transparent about your AI Usage

Before we get properly underway, let me just reiterate that you must always follow any university and departmental guidance on using AI tools in assessed work.

In our last post on the ethics of using generative AI, we started looking at the importance of understanding the responsibilities that come with using these tools. The key message in that post was the need to familiarise yourself with Aberystwyth University’s guidelines on AI usage.

This week, we’re covering another important topic: being transparent about your use of AI tools in assessed work.

As generative AI becomes more widely available, universities are emphasising the importance of academic integrity and clear disclosure when using these technologies.

Using AI can be a valuable aid in research, brainstorming, and drafting, but it’s essential to be upfront about how and where you’ve used it.

Being open about your use of AI tools is vital for maintaining academic integrity. Transparency shows your commitment to honesty and ethical study practices.

Key Takeaway: Why Transparency Matters:

  • It demonstrates your academic honesty.
  • It reflects your commitment to ethical study practices.
  • It highlights your critical thinking skills.
  • It reinforces your professional accountability.

How to Acknowledge AI Usage:

Academic departments and module coordinators will be best placed to advise you on how you should acknowledge AI outputs. These might include:

  • AI tool-use statements.
  • Advice on correct referencing and citation practices for AI outputs.

You can find additional help and support on using AI here: Artificial Intelligence  : Information Services , Aberystwyth University

AI and the Library. Week Six: The Ethics of Using Generative AI (Part One)

WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning, Research Leave a comment

When I first set out to write about the ethics of using generative AI, I thought it would be just a single blog post. But the deeper I dug, the more there was to explore. So, instead of just one post, this topic has turned into a spin-off series of its own (think House of the Dragon to Game of Thrones!)

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are transforming how users interact with library resources. But with these advancements come important ethical considerations.

The first, and arguably most important, step in using generative AI responsibly is understanding your university’s AI policies. Familiarising yourself with the guidelines ensures you stay academically honest and allows you to make informed decisions about AI use.

Here’s are some things to keep in mind:

University-wide Guidelines

  • Review the university’s official policies on using AI in academic work.
  • Check for specific rules about AI in assignments, exams, or research projects.

Departmental Advice

  • Look for any AI-related guidance provided by your academic department.
  • Pay attention to instructions or updates from your module tutors about AI use.

Module-specific Rules

  • Some modules may have unique rules about using AI tools.
  • Check your module handbook or ask your module coordinator if you’re unsure about what’s allowed.

Consequences of Misuse

  • Misusing AI or failing to acknowledge its role could be considered academic misconduct.
  • Be aware of the potential consequences, such as:
    • Failed assignments.
    • Disciplinary action.
    • Harm to your academic reputation.

By understanding these policies, you can use AI responsibly and meet the university’s expectations while maintaining academic integrity.

AI and the Library. Week Five: Using AI to Develop Smart Keyword Searches.

WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning, Research Leave a comment

Here at the library, we’re big fans of Primo, the library catalogue. With Primo, you’re not just able to find the books on our shelves, you’re also getting access millions of digital resources, all ready and waiting at your fingertips.

But with so many resources available to you, searching the library catalogue can sometimes feel frustrating. If you use too broad a search (e.g. “history”) then you are inundated with results. Too narrow a search term (“Neo-Gothic architecture in rural Chile”) and you’ve got nothing!

So what can you do? Our advice as subject librarians is to start by building a keyword vocabulary. Having a clear set of keywords will make your searches more targeted, helping you focus on the most relevant and useful resources. It’s a simple step that can make a huge difference in your research journey!

How Can AI Help You Build a Search Vocabulary?

An AI tool like ChatGPT can suggest smarter keywords, synonyms, and related concepts to make your searches more effective. Let’s look at some examples.

1. Smarter Alternatives to Broad Terms.

[Prompt] Suggest some keyword alternatives for “Climate change”

The AI might respond with:

  • Global warming.
  • Climate crisis.
  • Greenhouse effect.

2. Investigating Causes.

Want to explore what drives climate change? Try:

[Prompt] Provide me with a list of keywords for some of the main causes of climate change.

The response:

  • Carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Fossil fuels.
  • Industrial pollution.
  • Methane emissions.

3. Exploring Impacts.

    Do you want to focus on how climate change affects the planet? Use:

    [Prompt] Suggest keywords for the main impacts of climate change.

    Response:

    • Sea level rise.
    • Melting polar ice caps.
    • Extreme weather events.
    • Biodiversity loss.
    • Ocean acidification.

    4. Looking for Solutions

    For mitigation strategies, try:

    [Prompt] Suggest keywords for how climate change can be mitigated.

    Response

    • Renewable energy.
    • Carbon sequestration.
    • Climate change policies.
    • Green technology.
    • Sustainable development.

    Putting It All Together

    Finally, combine these ideas for a more complex search. For example:

    {Prompt] Suggest a set of keyword searches to find resources on the effects of methane emissions on biodiversity loss and what can be done to mitigate those effects.

    The AI might help you craft a search that looks like this:

    • Methane emissions and biodiversity.
    • Impact of methane on Arctic ecosystems.
    • Methane mitigation technologies in permafrost regions.

    By using AI to build a targeted keyword vocabulary, you’ll spend less time searching and more time discovering the resources you need.

    [Responses listed above were created with ChatGPT].