8.6: Parting Thoughts

Generative AI tools can turn up sources that may work for college research. To be certain, though, you will need to do some of the legwork. First, you need to make sure each source actually exists! Start by tracking down the full-text of each source by entering citation information into OneSearch, a library database, Google Scholar, or Google. Remember, some content is behind the paywall, so you may need to rely on the library to locate essential sources in full-text. As an aside, generative AI output is likely to favor websites and other content easily accessible through the open web. If you need to include books or peer reviewed articles on your Works Cited list, you will generally go further with library databases, such as OneSearch.

If a Generative AI tool turns up a relevant source that actually exists, don't forget to evaluate it for credibility using the criteria we have been working on in this course. Who created the site? What is its purpose? And so forth. Finally, it is a good idea to run your own searches using OneSearch, a library database, or Google Scholar to get a better sense of what is truly available to you. If you solely rely on the choices made by a "robot," you could be missing valuable information and end up settling for a mediocre effort. Try seeing Generative AI tools as belonging to a larger research toolkit you are developing in order to become an expert researcher.

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