Librarian guide to using ChatGPT as a research assistant

Using ChatGPT as a research assistant can be highly beneficial when gathering information, generating ideas, and organizing your findings. Here's a guide to help you maximize ChatGPT in this capacity.

Start with a straightforward research question: Before interacting with ChatGPT, formulate a specific research question or topic to ensure focused and relevant responses.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X's topic and would like to know more about Y's aspect. Could you provide some insights or resources?	I have yet to learn about X topic; just give me some information.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to better understand A concept and would appreciate any information or resources you can provide.	Tell me everything you know about A concept.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching the B industry and want statistics or data on its recent performance.	Just give me some information on the B industry.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm exploring the history of the C event and would like to know more about its causes and consequences. Could you provide any resources or insights?	Explain the C event to me.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm studying D subject and would like some recommendations for books or articles.	Just tell me everything you know about D's subject.

Break down complex questions: If your research question is complicated, break it down into smaller, more manageable sub-questions, and ask ChatGPT about each one separately.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and have several sub-questions. Firstly, please provide some information on the Y aspect.	I need information on X topic, can you give me everything in one answer?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to understand A concept, but it's pretty complex. Please explain the key components or subtopics that make it up.	Explain everything about A concept; I don't want to break it down.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry, but it's a broad topic. So please help me break it down by providing information on its history, current trends, and future prospects.	I need information on the B industry. Can you give me a summary?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C, but it's a large field. So please help me break it down by providing information on its significant sub-disciplines.	Just give me all the information you have on the C subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic, but it's multifaceted. So please help me break it down by providing information on each significant component separately.	I need information on D's topic. Can you give me a broad overview?

Use precise language: When asking ChatGPT for information, use specific and clear language to increase the chances of obtaining accurate and relevant results.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and would like to know the benefits and drawbacks of Y aspect. Please provide any information or resources on this.	I need information on X topic, can you give me something relevant?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to better understand the A concept and am specifically interested in its applications in the B industry. Could you provide any insights or examples?	Explain A concept about B industry.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm studying C subject, and I'm specifically interested in its historical development during the period of D. Could you provide any relevant resources or information?	Tell me everything you know about C's subject.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm exploring the E topically and am specifically interested in its current trends and prospects. Could you provide any data or projections on this?	Give me some information on E topic.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching the F industry and am specifically interested in the regulatory environment and policies that impact it. Please provide any information or resources on this.	Just give me some information on the F industry.

Request summaries: For extensive topics, ask ChatGPT to provide a summary or an overview before diving deeper into specific aspects.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic, but it's a broad field. So please briefly summarize or overview this topic's significant subtopics or aspects.	I need information on X topic, please give me everything you know.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to understand A concept, but it's a complex topic. So please provide a simplified summary or explanation before going into more detail.	Just give me all the information you have on A concept.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry, but it's a multifaceted field. Could you provide a high-level summary of its history, current state, and future prospects?	I need information on the B industry. Please gives me the key points.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C, but it's a large field. Please briefly summarize or overview the significant sub-disciplines or approaches within this subject.	Just give me a detailed explanation of C's subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic, but I need help figuring out where to start. Please provide a general summary or introduction to the case before going into more specific details.	Give me all the information you have on D's topic.

Ask for sources and references: To verify the credibility of the information provided by ChatGPT, request citations or references to support its claims.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, thank you for the information. Could you please provide a reference or citation for your claim about X?	I don't believe you; prove it with a citation.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm interested in learning more about A topic. Please provide some credible sources or references for me to explore.	Your information is wrong; provide some sources to prove it.
Hi ChatGPT, I appreciate your response but I want to verify the information. Please provide a citation or reference for the study you mentioned.	Your response is misleading; provide a source to support it.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm writing a research paper on B subject and would like to use some of the information you provided. Please provide a citation or reference to include in my bibliography.	Your response is only valid with a source to back it up.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm interested in the origins of the C concept. Please provide some credible sources or references for me to learn more.	You're making it up; provide a source to prove it.

Compare and contrast: Ask ChatGPT to compare and contrast different perspectives, theories, or methodologies related to your research question, which can help you gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and would like to compare and contrast the main perspectives or theories on Y aspect. Could you provide any insights or resources?	Just give me information on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to better understand A concept and how it compares to similar concepts or theories. Please provide any information or resources on this.	Just explain A concept to me.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry and am interested in comparing and contrasting researchers' approaches or methodologies in this field. Could you provide any insights or examples?	I need information on the B industry. Can you give me a summary?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C subject and am interested in comparing and contrasting the different schools of thought or perspectives on this topic. So please provide any information or resources on this.	Tell me everything you know about C's subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic and would like to compare and contrast the different models or frameworks used to analyze this issue. Could you provide any insights or examples?	Just give me some information on D's topic.

Request examples: When discussing abstract concepts or theories, ask ChatGPT for real-world examples or case studies to better understand the practical applications of your research topic.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and curious about how it applies in real-world scenarios. Could you provide some examples or case studies?	I need help understanding X's topic. Can you explain it to me?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to better understand A concept and am curious how it has been applied in different industries or fields. Could you provide some real-world examples or case studies?	Give me a summary of A concept.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry and curious how companies have applied specific methodologies or approaches in practice. Please provide some case studies or examples.	Just give me some information on the B industry.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C subject and am interested in how it has been applied in different historical or cultural contexts. Could you provide some real-world examples or case studies?	I need information on C subject, please give me the key points.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic and curious about how it has been applied in different regions or countries. Could you provide some real-world examples or case studies?	Just tell me everything you know about D's topic.

Use iterative questioning: If you need more information on a specific topic, use follow-up questions to dig deeper and obtain more detailed responses.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X and curious about Y's aspect. Could you provide more information on that?	I need information on X topic, can you give me everything at once?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to understand A concept, and your previous response sparked another question. Could you explain more about the B aspect?	I still need help understanding A concept. Can you explain it to me again?
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the C industry, and your previous response mentioned D methodology. Please provide more information on how that works.	I need information on the C industry. Can you give me a summary?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying E subject, and your previous response raised a new question. Could you explain more about the F sub-discipline?	Just tell me everything you know about E subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching G's topic, and I'm interested in your previous response about the H trend. Could you provide more information or data on that?	Just give me some information on G's topic.

Seek alternative viewpoints: Encourage ChatGPT to provide alternative or less conventional perspectives on your research topic, which can help you identify potential biases and blind spots in your analysis.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and would like to hear different perspectives on Y. Please provide alternative or less conventional approaches.	Just give me your opinion on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to better understand A concept and am curious about any potential biases or limitations in my current perspective. Also, could you provide any alternative viewpoints or criticisms of this concept?	Explain A concept to me, but don't say anything negative about it.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry and want different opinions on its future prospects. So please provide any alternative viewpoints or less conventional predictions about this industry.	Just give me your prediction on the B industry.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C and curious about any potential blind spots in my current analysis. Also, could you provide any alternative viewpoints or criticisms of this subject?	I need information on C subject, please give me a summary.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic and want to hear different perspectives on its implications. Could you provide any alternative viewpoints or less conventional interpretations of this topic?	Just give me some information on D's topic.

Organize your findings: Use ChatGPT to help create outlines, mind maps, or other visual representations of your research findings to facilitate organization and understanding.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and need help organizing my findings coherently. Could you help me create an outline or mind map to better understand the relationships between different aspects of this topic?	Just give me a summary of X's topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I've been researching A concept and need help organizing my notes and ideas. Please suggest tools or methods help me visualize and manage my findings.	I need to figure out where to start with the A concept. Can you tell me everything you know?
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry and am interested in creating a visual representation of the major trends and players in this field. Can you suggest any software or resources that help me create a mind map or flowchart?	I need information on the B industry. Can you give me a summary?
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C subject, and I'm interested in creating a table or chart to compare different aspects of this topic. Can you suggest any templates or tools that help me with this?	Just tell me everything you know about C's subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic, and I'm curious about any existing visualizations or models that could help me better understand the relationships between different factors in this topic. Also, please provide some examples or resources.	Just give me some information on D's topic.

Utilize ChatGPT for citations: ChatGPT can assist you in finding citation styles, formatting guidelines, or specific citation details, making your referencing process more efficient.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm writing a research paper on X topic and need clarification on the citation style or formatting requirements. Please provide some resources or guidelines for APA/MLA/Chicago style.	Just give me some information on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to cite a specific source for my research paper, but I need help finding the necessary details. Please help me locate this source's author, publication date, or page number.	I need to learn how to cite my sources. Can you do it for me?
Hi ChatGPT, I'm writing a literature review on B subject, and I'm interested in knowing how to cite multiple sources within one sentence. So please provide me with some examples or resources for this.	I need information on B subject, please give me a summary.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm working on a group project, and we're all using different citation styles. Could you suggest any tools or resources to help us reconcile these styles?	Just give me some information on citation styles.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm citing a source with multiple authors and figuring out how to format the citation correctly. Please provide me with guidance or examples for citing sources with multiple authors.	Just tell me everything you know about citation formats.

Generate literature reviews: Ask ChatGPT for a literature review on your research topic to obtain an overview of the existing research and discover potential gaps in the knowledge.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic, and I would like to obtain a literature review on this topic to better understand the current state of research. So please provide me with an overview of the existing literature and any potential gaps in knowledge.	Just give me some information on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to write a research proposal on A subject, and I need to include a literature review. So please provide me with an overview of this field's critical studies and findings.	I have yet to learn about A subject, can you just tell me everything you know?
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry and would like to obtain a literature review to learn about the major trends and players. Also, it could provide me with an overview of the existing research and any potential gaps in knowledge.	Just give me a summary of the B industry.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying C, and I would like to obtain a literature review on this subject to identify any gaps in the knowledge and potential research questions. Also, it could provide me with an overview of the current state of research and any unanswered questions.	Just tell me everything you know about C's subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic and need to include a literature review in my thesis. So please provide me with an overview of the existing research and any potential gaps or controversies in the knowledge.	Just give me some information on D's topic.

Draft and edit your work: Use ChatGPT to help you draft sections of your research paper or ask for suggestions on improving your writing and arguments.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm writing a research paper on X topic and need help developing a clear and concise thesis statement. Please provide me with suggestions or examples for crafting an effective thesis.	Just give me some information on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I've written a draft of my introduction for A subject, but I wonder if it's engaging or clear enough. Please provide me with suggestions or examples for improving my introduction.	I don't know how to write an introduction for A subject, can you do it for me?
Hi ChatGPT, I'm trying to strengthen my argument for the B topic, and I'm curious about any potential counterarguments or criticisms I need to address. Please provide me with suggestions or examples for improving my argument.	Just give me a summary of B's topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I've written a draft of my conclusion for the C topic, but I wonder if it's effectively summarizing my main points or leaving a lasting impression on the reader. So please provide me with suggestions or examples for improving my conclusion.	Just tell me everything you know about the C topic.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm working on a literature review for the D subject, but I need help to organize my ideas and arguments. So please provide suggestions or examples for structuring my literature review and presenting my findings.	Just give me some information on the D subject.

Fact-check information: Always verify the information provided by ChatGPT using reliable sources or cross-referencing with other materials, as its responses may not always be accurate or up-to-date.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I found some information on X topic, but I don't know if it's accurate. So please verify this information and provide me with reliable sources to cross-check.	Just give me some information on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm reading a news article that makes some claims about A subject, but I don't know if these claims are based on reliable sources or research. Could you please fact-check this article and provide some credible sources to confirm or refute these claims?	I have yet to learn about A subject, can you just tell me everything you know?
Hi ChatGPT, I came across some statistics about the B industry, but I don't know if these statistics are up-to-date or based on reliable sources. Could you please fact-check these statistics and provide some credible sources to confirm or refute them?	Just give me a summary of the B industry.
Hello ChatGPT, I found some information about the C subject in a blog post, but I wonder if this blog post is a credible source. Please help me verify this information and suggest other materials to cross-reference.	Just tell me everything you know about C's subject.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm trying to fact-check some claims made by a speaker in a video on the D topic, but I need to figure out how to verify these claims or find reliable sources. So could you please fact-check this video and provide some credible sources to cross-check?	Just give me some information on D's topic.

Analyze trends and patterns: Utilize ChatGPT to analyze trends and patterns within your research field, helping you stay informed of current developments and emerging areas of interest.

Good Example	Bad Example
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X topic and am interested in analyzing recent trends or developments in this field. So please provide me with any information or resources highlighting emerging areas of interest or significant breakthroughs.	Just give me some information on X topic.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying A subject and would like to obtain an overview of the significant trends and patterns in this field over the past decade. Please provide statistics, graphs, or visualizations highlighting the most significant changes or developments.	I have yet to learn about A subject, can you just tell me everything you know?
Hi ChatGPT, I'm exploring the B industry and am curious about the current state of research and development in this field. Please provide me with any news articles, reports, or studies highlighting recent trends or breakthroughs in the B industry.	Just give me a summary of the B industry.
Hello ChatGPT, I'm interested in analyzing the impact of C technology on various industries and sectors. Could you provide me with examples or case studies illustrating how C technology has transformed these industries or created new opportunities?	Just tell me everything you know about C technology.
Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching D's topic and am curious about any patterns or trends in the research methods or approaches used in this field. So please provide me with any articles or studies highlighting D's most common or innovative research methods or techniques.	Just give me some information on D's topic.