Artificial intelligence offers many opportunities to enhance the information retrieval process in higher education. This guide provides examples of how AI can be used in different stages of information searching.

Language model-based AI chats, such as ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Copilot, are not suitable for actual professional or scientific information searching but are helpful in planning search and brainstorming keywords.

AI chats may provide you with links to sources, but the sources might not be reliable, and you won’t be able to evaluate why those particular sources were selected from all the information available online. Therefore, be critical when using AI chats.

For actual scientific information searching, it is advisable to use AI applications specifically designed for searching information from scientific databases.

1. Formulating the research question with AI Chats

• AI chats like ChatGPT or Copilot can assist in refining and structuring your topic. They help you consider your topic from different perspectives.
• Input your topic into the language model and ask it to formulate your information retrieval question. Request the chat to ask you clarifying questions before responding.

• Example prompt: “Formulate a research question on ‘the effects of climate change on agriculture in the Nordic countries.’ Ask me clarifying questions before responding.”

2. Brainstorming Keywords with AI Chats

• You can also use language model chats to brainstorm keywords for searching information with search engines.
• Input your topic or research question into the language model and ask it to suggest keywords. You can refine your question by specifying what kind of information you are looking for.
• It is also advisable to ask the chat to pose clarifying questions before responding. This helps you refine your information retrieval question from different perspectives.

• Example prompt: “Suggest keywords for searching research information in Finnish and English on ‘principles of sustainable development in corporate management.’ Provide also specific keywords. Ask me clarifying questions before responding.”

3. AI Applications Designed for Scientific Information Retrieval

• AI applications designed for scientific information retrieval search sources from scientific databases. Using them complements traditional information search.
• Benefits of using AI applications designed for scientific information retrieval include a multidisciplinary approach and visualization tools. Many applications also allow you to search for information with a naturally written question.
• These tools often provide various options for analyzing the found sources.
• NOTE: Copyright also applies to scientific articles. Therefore, do not input articles or other texts written by someone else into the AI application without permission.
• NOTE: Some tools require creating a separate user account. Before creating an account, review the service’s privacy policy, as most applications do not handle personal data according to European privacy regulations.

Examples of AI applications for scientific information retrieval

Consensus 

• You can search for information by writing a research question in natural language. 
• Produces a summary of the found sources. The summary includes links to the sources. 
• You can limit the search to peer-reviewed sources only. 
• You can also try it without creating your own account, with limited free usage. 

Elicit 

• The search works with research questions, keywords, or pdf files. Do not submit a research article in pdf format written by someone else without permission. 
• It summarizes articles and allows you to ask questions about the articles. 
• A mandatory account creation, limited free usage. 

Keenious 

• Search for information using research questions or a PDF file. 
• You can try it without creating an account. Free registration provides additional features. 
• Works within the EU, does not store entered texts. 

Litmaps  

• The search starts with a single article, which you can find using keywords or a DOI identifier.  
• It creates a visual map based on the article, allowing you to explore the citations between articles.  
• You can try it without creating your own account. Free registration provides additional features. 

Research Rabbit 

• The search works with keywords, author names, DOI addresses, etc.  
• It creates a visual map based on the selected articles, allowing you to explore the citations between the articles. It suggests similar articles.  
• Account creation is mandatory. 

SciSpace 

• The service offers various research tools. 
• The Literature review function is available for information retrieval. 
• You can try it without creating your own account. 

Semantic Scholar 

• The search works traditionally with keywords, similar to Google Scholar. 
• It provides recommendations and displays additional information about citations. 
• It works without creating your own account. 

Author: Minna Kivinen