Literature search with AI support

BIB 20-090

What you need to know

Used correctly, ChatGPT and co. can provide support for academic work. At present, however, they cannot replace traditional literature search via the Internet and the corresponding database and library catalogues (e.g. DBIS & BOSS). In the following, various pages are mentioned that link to tools.

If you use AI for your scientific research, please note that the various AI tools are probability models that are prone to error. Critical examination of the results is essential.

What you have to do

  1. Define the topic with which the AI should support you.

  2. Check which AI tools can usefully support your research. External link opens in a new window:Source: Rhine-Main University.

    • What should AI help you with? Rewrite text? List an overview of all relevant terms on your topic? Find synonyms? 

    • Use the recommendations for literature searches from the VK KIWA or the ZLL.

  3. The most important way to start a search is to define suitable search terms (Helpcard Internal link opens in the same window:BIB 20-010 Tips for effective media research).

    • This is crucial for the quality of the results.

    • The scientific language is English, you can use AI-supported translation tools to find technical terms (e.g. DeepL).

  4. You can use a text-generating tool (e.g. ChatGPT) to define suitable search terms.

    The following prompt for Chat GPT (External link opens in a new window:Source: Rhein-Main University) can help you to find suitable search terms:

    • I would like to use the building blocks research method for a literature search on the topic [“INSERT TOPIC”]. Please first explain to me what the research method is all about.

      Then go through the following steps one by one:

    • Identify the key terms of my topic.

    • Break down the topic or research question into blocks using the key terms.

    • Find synonyms and related terms for each key term and present them in a table (one column for each block).

    • Truncate all terms found in step 3 in a table.

    • Link the words in each column with an OR, each block has round brackets and the Boolean operator AND is inserted between the brackets. Give me a search string that contains everything.

  5. Select suitable terms for your research and search for suitable sources using the services of your libraries.

  6. Please note the limitations and risks of AI.

    • Sources of AI must always be checked critically.

    • AI cannot replace research in specialist databases.

    • AI sources must always be checked. Often no or incorrect sources are displayed, or only sources that are freely available online. Scientific sources behind the paywall are not evaluated.

Problems or questions?