Librarian guide to getting the most out of chatGPT
As a librarian, getting the most out of ChatGPT can be a game changer for your library and its patrons, so here's a guide to help you optimize your use of ChatGPT.
Be specific: Clearly articulate your questions or prompts to help ChatGPT understand your query better. Include specific details or context if necessary.
| Good Examples | Bad Examples |
| "Can you help me find information about the history of jazz?" | "Jazz history?" |
| "I'm looking for articles on the benefits of exercise for seniors. Can you point me in the right direction?" | "Senior fitness articles?" |
| "What are some good resources for learning Spanish as a second language?" | "Teach me Spanish." |
| "I'm trying to find a novel set in the 1920s. Can you suggest any titles?" | "1920s novel?" |
| "I need help with APA citation formatting for a research paper. Can you walk me through the process?" | "Citation help?" |
Use step-by-step or follow-up questions: If your query is complex, break it down into smaller parts and ask a series of follow-up questions. This approach can help you get more accurate and relevant information.
| Good Examples | Bad Examples |
| "I'm looking for information on the life and works of Ernest Hemingway. Can you first give me an overview of his life, and then suggest some of his most well-known works?" | "Tell me everything about Ernest Hemingway." |
| "I need help with my research on climate change. Can you first point me towards some reputable sources, and then help me narrow down my topic to focus on the impact of climate change on coastal communities?" | "How does climate change affect coastal communities?" |
| "I'm planning a trip to Europe and need some advice on the best way to travel between countries. Can you first explain the different transportation options, and then help me narrow down my itinerary based on my interests and budget?" | "How do I plan a trip to Europe?" |
| "I'm trying to find a novel set in the 1920s. Can you suggest any titles?" | "1920s novel?" |
| "I need help with APA citation formatting for a research paper. Can you walk me through the process?" | "Citation help?" |
Ask for examples or clarification: If you're unsure about the information provided or need more context, ask ChatGPT for examples or further clarification.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Can you provide an example of how this would work in practice? | What are you saying? |
| Could you clarify what you mean by "X"? | That's not what I asked for. |
| Can you explain the steps involved in this process? | This needs to be simplified. Can you just do it for me? |
| I need to familiarize myself with that term. Could you define it for me? | Why are you telling me this? |
| Can you give me more context about the situation? | I don't have time for this, just give me the answer. |
Experiment with phrasing: If you don't get the desired response, try rephrasing your question or prompt. Different languages can lead to different results.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Can you give me some more information about that? | What are you saying? |
| Please elaborate on that. | I don't know what you mean. |
| Can you clarify what you're trying to say? | That doesn't make any sense. |
| Could you explain that in a different way? | You're not making any sense. |
| What do you mean by that? | Why are you telling me this? |
Set the response format: If you need a particular design for the answer, such as a summary or a bulleted list, specify this in your question.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Please provide a summary of your findings. | Just tell me what you found. |
| Can you give me a bulleted list of the key takeaways? | I don't care about the details, just give me the answer. |
| Can your response be formatted as a chart or graph? | This needs to be simplified. Just give me the information. |
| Please organize your response into categories. | I don't have time for all these details. So just give me the highlights. |
| Can you provide a step-by-step guide for how to do this? | I want to read a short explanation. Just tell me how to do it. |
Control response length: You can ask ChatGPT to provide shorter or longer answers by mentioning your preference in the question.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Please provide a summary of your findings. | Just tell me what you found. |
| Can you give me a bulleted list of the key takeaways? | I don't care about the details, just give me the answer. |
| Can your response be formatted as a chart or graph? | This needs to be simplified. Just give me the information. |
| Could you please organize your response into categories? | I don't have time for all these details. So just give me the highlights. |
| Can you provide a step-by-step guide for how to do this? | I want to read a short explanation. Just tell me how to do it. |
Request alternative viewpoints: If you're looking for diverse opinions or ideas, ask ChatGPT to present different perspectives or approaches to a topic.
| Bad Example | Bad Example |
| Please provide some different perspectives on this issue. | Why do you only have one opinion on this? |
| Can you present some alternative approaches to solving this problem? | I don't care about other ideas. Just tell me what to do. |
| Can we explore different viewpoints on this topic? | I don't have time to consider different perspectives. |
| Please provide some different ideas for how to approach this project. | I don't want to hear any other opinions. Just do it like I said. |
| Can you present some different arguments for and against this proposal? | I already know all the arguments. Just tell me what I want to hear. |
Verify the information: Although ChatGPT can provide helpful information, it's essential to verify the accuracy of its responses, especially when dealing with critical or time-sensitive topics.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Can you provide me with a source to back up that information? | I don't believe what you're saying. |
| Could you confirm that information with another source? | I need more time to check the facts. So just tell me the answer. |
| Could you double-check that information before giving me an answer? | I don't need you to fact-check for me. |
| Can you provide more information about how you arrived at that conclusion? | I don't care how you got to that answer. Just give me the answer. |
| Could you explain the reasoning behind that information? | I don't need an explanation. Just tell me if it's true or false. |
Provide constructive feedback: Most platforms that use ChatGPT allow users to provide feedback on the AI's responses. By offering constructive feedback, you help improve the system's performance over time.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| I appreciate the information you provided, but it would be helpful if you gave more specific examples. | Your answer is entirely wrong, and you should be ashamed. |
| I found your response very helpful, but it would be even better if you could provide more context around the topic. | Your answers always need to be more helpful. So why bother even having this feature? |
| Thank you for your response, but there might be a calculation mistake. | Your responses are always so stupid. Why do I use this platform? |
| I appreciate the effort, but the language used in your response could be simplified for easier understanding. | Your responses could be more helpful, and you're just wasting my time. |
| Thanks for your response, but it would be great if you could provide more diverse viewpoints on this topic. | Your responses are always biased and one-sided. What's the point? |
Set the context: When starting a conversation, provide an introductory statement or background information to help ChatGPT better understand the context of your discussion.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Hi ChatGPT, I'm researching X's topic and would like to know more about the Y aspect of it. | Tell me everything you know about X topic. |
| Good morning ChatGPT; I'm working on a project related to the Z industry and would like some insights on the current trends. | Give me all the information you have on the latest industry trends. |
| Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to understand the historical context of A event and would appreciate any background information you can provide. | What happened during the A event? |
| Hi ChatGPT, I'm planning a trip to B country and would like to know more about the local culture and customs. | Tell me everything I need to know about B country. |
| Good evening ChatGPT, I'm studying C subject and would like clarification on a specific concept. | Explain C subject to me. |
Use multiple queries: If the initial response isn't helpful, ask the same question differently or with additional context.
| I'm sorry. I don't understand your previous response. Could you explain that concept in more straightforward terms? | Your answer needs to be simplified. So please give me a simple explanation. |
| I appreciate your information, but I was looking for data from the past year. Is that something you can help with? | Your response needs to answer my question. Can you give me the correct answer? |
| Thank you for the response, but I may have phrased my initial question poorly. Let me rephrase it: | Your response could be more helpful. Can you give me the answer I'm looking for? |
| I still don't fully understand the topic. Please provide an example to help clarify. | Again, your response could be more helpful. Please give me the answer. |
Address AI limitations: Be aware of ChatGPT's rules, such as potential biases, lack of common sense, or inability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources. Keep these limitations in mind while using the chatbot.
| Limitation | Description |
| Lack of common sense | ChatGPT needs more common sense and may provide nonsensical or unrealistic responses. |
| Limited domain knowledge | ChatGPT's responses are limited to the information it has been trained on and may need to gain knowledge beyond that scope. |
| Inability to comprehend complex language | ChatGPT may need help understanding complex language or nuances in meaning, leading to incorrect or irrelevant responses. |
| Inability to detect sarcasm or irony | ChatGPT may not be able to detect sarcasm or irony in language, leading to inappropriate or confusing responses. |
| Limited ability to engage in conversation | ChatGPT's responses are typically based on the specific prompt or question asked and may not be able to engage in a natural conversation flow. |
| Lack of emotional intelligence | ChatGPT cannot understand or express emotions, leading to responses that may seem cold or insensitive. |
Use ChatGPT for learning: Utilize ChatGPT to expand your knowledge in specific areas or explore new subjects. However, always verify the information it provides with credible sources.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| Hi ChatGPT, I'm interested in learning more about X topic. Please provide some resources or critical points to get me started. | I want to do something other than my own research. So just give me all the information. |
| Hello ChatGPT, I'm studying Y subject and would like to clarify a specific concept. Can you help explain it in more detail? | I need help understanding Y's subject. Just explain everything to me. |
| Hi ChatGPT, I'm interested in exploring new ideas and would like some recommendations for books or articles on Z's topic. | I don't have time to read anything. Just give me a quick summary. |
| Hello ChatGPT, I'm trying to better understand A concept and would appreciate any insights you can provide. First, however, I'll verify any information with credible sources. | I trust everything you say. I don't need to verify it with other sources. |
| Hi ChatGPT, I'm curious about B's topic and would like to know more about its history and cultural significance. Can you provide any relevant information or resources? | Just tell me everything you know about B topic. I don't need additional resources. |
Experiment with the chatbot's settings: Familiarize yourself with the available settings and options in ChatGPT, such as adjusting the response length or temperature, to fine-tune the chatbot's behavior according to your preferences.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| I noticed that there are different response length options available. Can you help me understand how to adjust that setting? | Your responses should be shorter. Can you just make them faster? |
| I'm interested in adjusting the temperature setting to see how it affects the chatbot's responses. Could you guide me through that process? | Your responses are too predictable. Can you be more creative? |
| I'm curious about the different response modes available. Could you explain the differences between them? | I prefer a different way than the way you're responding. Can you just change it? |
| I noticed that there are different language options available. Can you help me switch to a foreign language? | Your responses could be more helpful. Please give me the answer. |
| I would like to experiment with the chatbot's tone settings to see how it affects the responses. Is there a way to do that? | Your responses are too formal. Can you loosen up a bit? |
Ask for clarifications: If ChatGPT provides a response that seems unclear or confusing, feel free to ask for clarifications or request more information.
| Good Example | Bad Example |
| I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand your response. Please explain it differently. | Your answer needs to be clarified. Can you give me the right solution? |
| I appreciate your response, but I still need clarification about the X aspect of your explanation. Please provide more information. | Your answer needs to be simplified. So please give me a simple explanation. |
| Thank you for your response, but I don't understand how that relates to my question. Please clarify. | Your answer is entirely wrong, and you should be ashamed. |
| I'm sorry. There might be a misunderstanding. Please confirm that you're addressing my original question. | Your answer could be more helpful. Please give me the answer. |
| I still need clarification on the Y point. Please provide more information or an example to help me understand better. | Your answer is different from what I asked for. So please answer my question directly. |
Avoid sensitive or controversial topics: ChatGPT might not always respond appropriately to sensitive or controversial subjects. Therefore, use discretion when discussing such issues.
Combine ChatGPT with other resources: Don't rely solely on ChatGPT for research or problem-solving. Instead, combine its output with additional resources to ensure the most accurate and comprehensive information.
Collaborate with others: Share your ChatGPT interactions with colleagues or friends to gather diverse perspectives and improve the overall understanding of a topic.
Adapt to updates and improvements: Stay informed about updates and enhancements to ChatGPT and be open to adapting your usage strategies to maximize its potential.
Explore ChatGPT applications in your domain: Depending on your profession or interests, consider how ChatGPT could be used to enhance your work, creativity, or learning in your specific environment.
Be patient and persistent: As with any AI tool, ChatGPT may not always provide perfect answers on the first try. So be patient and persistent in exploring different approaches to get the desired results.
Take advantage of the OpenAI API: If you're a developer, consider using the OpenAI API to integrate ChatGPT into your applications or create custom tools tailored to your needs.
Engage in hypothetical scenarios: Use ChatGPT to explore hypothetical situations or experiments to help you think through complex issues or generate new ideas.
Reflect on ChatGPT's responses: Take time to analyze and reflect on the information provided by ChatGPT, considering its strengths and limitations, to help you make informed decisions and draw more accurate conclusions.
Give feedback: Share your experiences with ChatGPT and provide input to OpenAI, as this can help improve the chatbot and its future iterations.
Use ChatGPT for brainstorming: Engage with ChatGPT to generate ideas or explore different perspectives, which can help inspire your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Follow ChatGPT-related news and discussions: Stay informed about ChatGPT's development, new features, and user experiences by following relevant news, forums, and social media discussions.
Develop a critical mindset: Always approach ChatGPT's responses with a necessary perspective, questioning the validity of the information and cross-checking it with reliable sources.
Have fun: While ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for learning and productivity, remember to have fun with it. Engage in lighthearted conversations, ask creative questions, or explore exciting topics to maximize your ChatGPT experience.
