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POH 105 Ounce of Prevention: Public Health Past

This course guide was designed to assist students in POH105 with conducting library research for their assignments

ChatGPT and Library Research

Always read the course outline to understand your instructor’s expectations around use of AI - there is no standard approach at TMU; expectations will vary from course to course. If you’re unsure, check with your instructor

What is ChatGPT not good at? 

  • ChatGPT is not a collection of published research (yet) - best to use Library databases, Google Scholar, etc.

  • It can create ‘hallucinations’, which are fake citations that don’t exist!

  • You’ll need to verify any sources that it offers

  • Avoid using ChatGPT to summarize a source, or write your literature review - may be inaccurate, make up conclusions

What is ChatGPT useful for?

  • Brainstorming keywords, synonyms, topic ideas for a paper

  • Recommending databases to use for your research

  • Asking questions without judgment (but be sure to fact check responses)

  • Some useful prompts:

    • What are some keywords for the topic of  X?

    • What are some good library databases to use for the topic of X?

    • Give it a role to play, e.g. act as a student:  I’m writing a paper for an Occupational Hygiene class, and I need help coming up with a topic. Please give me a list of 10 topics

Further reading:

Student Guide to ChatGPT: https://libguides.library.arizona.edu/students-chatgpt/use

ChatGPT and Fake Citations: https://blogs.library.duke.edu/blog/2023/03/09/chatgpt-andfakecitations/#:~:text=ChatGPT%20is%20based%20on%20a,or%20write%20your%20literature%20review.