Many of the AI tools we'll be looking at still require at least one good source to serve as a starting point. Most won't have direct access to the articles they display either. So, it's still a good idea to know how to use the library's databases.

However, a big part of using library databases is knowing the right keywords to enter into a search. Conversational AI like ChatGPT and Perplexity are particularly good at helping to generate keyword ideas.

1. One potential strategy is to simply ask the AI of your choice for keywords based on your assignment and topic.

   

   Anonymous: What are some keywords for the prompt, "Analyze how poverty influences the social, mental, and physical well being of veterans. Be sure to detail strategies and suggestions for government policies and interventions meant to target at-risk individuals."

   ChatGPT:

   1. Poverty
   2. Veterans
   3. Social well-being
   4. Mental health
   5. Physical health
   6. At-risk individuals
   7. Government policies
   8. Interventions

2. Choose 2-3 keywords to enter into a library database search.

   

3. Be sure to filter for the types of research you're looking for. Usually this means full text, scholarly & peer-reviewed, and journal articles.

   

   
    

1. Another option is to ask the AI for an outline based on your prompt or topic.

   

   Anonymous: Create an outline for this topic: "Analyze how poverty influences the social, mental, and physical well being of veterans. Be sure to detail strategies and suggestions for government policies and interventions meant to target at-risk individuals."

   ChatGPT:

   I. Introduction
   A. Definition of poverty
   B. Overview of veterans' challenges
   C. Thesis statement: Poverty significantly affects the social, mental, and physical well-being of veterans, and effective government policies and interventions are crucial for targeting at-risk individuals.

   II. Impact of Poverty on Social Well-being
   A. Isolation and loneliness
   B. Lack of community support
   C. Strategies for government interventions
   1. Community outreach programs
   2. Veteran-specific social clubs
   3. Mentorship opportunities

   [...]

2. The benefit here is that unlike when we asked for keywords, the main potential points of our research are organized into thematic areas. Although we should never take what the AI tells us as fact, this helps us break down a larger research topic into smaller, more manageable parts.
   
   We can even follow-up by asking for keywords for a specific section.
    

   

   Anonymous: For this outline, what are some keywords I can use to research section II?
   ChatGPT: For section II, some keywords for research could include:

   - Poverty
   - Social well-being
   - Isolation
   - Loneliness
   - Community support
   - Veteran-specific social clubs
   - Mentorship
   - Government interventions
   - Community outreach programs
   - Social connections

3. Continue to search library databases using the search strategy from earlier in "Keywords from a Prompt."