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ChatGPT for Research and Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide

Som s. biswas.

Department of Pediatric Radiology, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN.

Introduction

This commentary provides a concise step-by-step guide on using ChatGPT, an advanced natural language processing (NLP) model, for research and publication purposes. The guide assesses crucial aspects, including data preprocessing, fine-tuning techniques, prompt engineering, and ethical considerations. By addressing challenges related to biases, interpretability, and plagiarism, this commentary offers insights and recommendations for the responsible and ethical use of ChatGPT. The guide empowers researchers to ethically integrate ChatGPT effectively into their workflows, enhancing productivity and improving the quality of their scientific publications. Through clear instructions and guidelines, researchers can tap into the transformative potential of ChatGPT, driving scientific progress in a language-driven world.

In recent years, the field of NLP has witnessed remarkable advancements, bringing us closer to the realm of humanlike language generation. Among these advancements, ChatGPT, based on the groundbreaking GPT-3.5 architecture developed by OpenAI, stands as an impressive language model capable of generating coherent and contextually relevant text responses. With its ability to understand and respond to user inputs, ChatGPT has opened up new possibilities for various applications, including research and publication. 1 – 3

The traditional process of conducting research and publishing scientific papers has been significantly transformed by the emergence of ChatGPT. Researchers and authors can now leverage the power of this sophisticated language model to streamline and enhance their workflow, leading to improved efficiency and higher-quality publications. However, using ChatGPT effectively in the research and publication domain requires a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities, limitations, and best practices.

In this commentary I offer my thoughts for a step-by-step guide for researchers and authors who seek to harness the potential of ChatGPT in their research endeavors and publication efforts. By exploring various aspects, such as data preprocessing, fine-tuning techniques, prompt engineering, and ethical considerations, this guide will equip researchers with the necessary knowledge to harness the full potential of ChatGPT in their scientific pursuits. Moreover, this commentary will delve into the challenges associated with using ChatGPT for research and publication, including biases, interpretability, and concerns regarding plagiarism. By addressing these challenges directly, I aim to provide researchers with valuable insights and recommendations to navigate these important issues and ensure the responsible and ethical use of ChatGPT as a research tool. 4

The significance of my guide lies in its potential to bridge the gap between the rapid progress of language models like ChatGPT and the research and publication process. By elucidating the intricacies of integrating ChatGPT into scientific workflows, researchers will be empowered to leverage this advanced technology effectively, thereby enhancing the overall quality and impact of their research output. 5 In the following sections, I present a comprehensive overview of the steps involved in using ChatGPT for research and publication.

Step 1: Title and Title Page Creation by ChatGPT

ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in generating titles for research papers. Its ability to understand and generate humanlike text allows it to analyze and synthesize information provided by researchers to craft concise and impactful titles. By leveraging its vast knowledge base and language capabilities, ChatGPT can assist in capturing the essence of a research paper, conveying the main focus and contributions succinctly. Researchers can collaborate with ChatGPT by providing relevant information, such as the subject, objectives, methodology, and key findings of their study. ChatGPT can then generate multiple title options, offering different perspectives and angles that researchers can consider. This collaboration with ChatGPT can save time and stimulate creativity, helping researchers refine their titles to accurately represent their work and engage potential readers. ChatGPT can then be used to create the entire title page and then can also customize based on each journal’s recommendations.

For example:

Thus, we see that ChatGPT can write an entire title page based on just the title and author details. We notice that ChatGPT has created an email address that is incorrect and needs manual rectification. However, the rest of the title page, including keywords and the running title, is appropriate.

Step 2: Abstract/Summary Creation by chatGPT

ChatGPT can assist in condensing complex information into a clear and engaging abstract/summary, helping researchers communicate the significance and novelty of their research to a wider audience. By leveraging the language proficiency of ChatGPT, researchers can save time and effort in crafting abstracts while ensuring that the key aspects of their study are accurately represented.

In this example, we demonstrate that ChatGPT can create an entire abstract just by using the title alone. However, the more information researchers provide (preferably the entire body of the paper should be entered into chatGPT), the more accurate the abstract becomes.

Step 3: Introduction Creation by ChatGPT

By collaborating with ChatGPT, researchers can provide key information, such as the background, significance, and objectives of their study. ChatGPT can then generate a well-structured introduction that sets the context, highlights the relevance of the research, and outlines the paper’s objectives. Also, ChatGPT can be used to generate keywords and generate an abbreviations list from the article by using prompts. However, it is important to note that the generated introduction should be reviewed, customized, and refined by the researchers to align with their specific study and writing style.

In the example below, we note that ChatGPT has not only created an introduction but also the objectives of the study, which can then be edited by the human author.

Step 4: Can ChatGPT Create a Literature Review?

Yes, ChatGPT can help generate a literature review, but it is important to note that it may not have access to the most up-to-date research articles and studies due to copyrights and limited access to some journals. Additionally, a literature review typically requires a comprehensive analysis of multiple sources, so the generated response may not cover all relevant studies. Nonetheless, it can assist in providing a basic literature review on a given topic, which will need human authors to add to and edit it.

As we can see, ChatGPT is not as good at giving a detailed review of the literature as it is at summarizing contents or creating an introduction. Thus, its use is limited, if there is any at all, in this section of the paper.

Step 5: Can ChatGPT Assist in Brainstorming the Methodology of Studies?

ChatGPT can be a helpful tool in conceptualizing the methodology for research papers. By engaging in a conversation with ChatGPT, researchers can discuss their research objectives, study design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques. ChatGPT’s natural language understanding allows it to provide suggestions and insights based on its knowledge base and understanding of research methodologies. Although ChatGPT can assist in generating ideas and providing guidance, it is important for researchers to critically evaluate and adapt the suggestions to align with their specific research goals and requirements.

Although the methodology is something that is unique to each paper and needs a human researcher to conceptualize it, we see in this example that ChatGPT can assist by giving ideas and examples based on the input of the title by the human researcher. Thus, ChatGPT can be part of brainstorming sessions when conceptualizing a study, although this section needs significant editing by a human, unlike the introduction or summary.

Step 6: Do Not Use ChatGPT for Fabricating Patient Data or Results!

This section of the paper must be authentic, and ChatGPT has a limited role, if any, because patient data have to be original. ChatGPT also currently cannot analyze clinical data compared with statistical software, like SPSS Statistics and Base SAS. However, Microsoft appears to be developing an Excel copilot that uses AI to create graphs and plots, and its use needs to be evaluated once it is released to the public. 6

Step 7: Discussion and Conclusions

This section of the paper can be generated by ChatGPT if all results are pasted as input; however, this section also needs manual editing because inaccuracies are common. By discussing their research with ChatGPT, researchers can also identify potential limitations, discuss the broader implications of their findings, and propose future research directions. Although ChatGPT can generate suggestions and facilitate the thought process, it is important for researchers to critically evaluate the information provided and ensure that the Discussion and Conclusion sections align with the specific research objectives and findings of their study. Ultimately, ChatGPT can serve as a supportive tool in developing a comprehensive and well-rounded discussion and conclusion for research papers.

Step 8: References

As per the author's experience, although ChatGPT is capable of creating references for an article, most of them are incorrect. So, using ChatGPT for creating references is not recommended. However, ChatGPT can convert references into any journaling style if the references are entered into ChatGPT and it is asked to convert them into a specific style.

Disadvantages of Using ChatGPT in Research

Although ChatGPT offers numerous advantages for assisting in the writing of research papers, there are also some important potential disadvantages to consider:

• Lack of domain expertise: ChatGPT is a general-purpose language model trained on a diverse range of Internet text, which means it may lack the specific domain expertise required for certain research topics. It may generate responses that are not accurate or well informed in specialized fields, potentially leading to incorrect or misleading information in research papers.
• Inconsistency and variability: ChatGPT’s responses can be inconsistent and vary depending on the input phrasing or prompt formulation. This can lead to unpredictability in generating reliable and coherent content, requiring additional effort to refine and ensure accuracy in research papers.
• Limited control over output: Although researchers can guide the model’s responses through prompts, ChatGPT’s generation process is still primarily autonomous. Researchers have limited control over the precise content and structure of the generated text, which may require careful editing and review to align with specific research goals, standards, and above all, accuracy.
• Biases and ethical considerations: Language models like ChatGPT can inadvertently reflect biases present in the training data. These biases may perpetuate existing societal or cultural biases in research papers, potentially leading to unfair or discriminatory content. The careful examination and mitigation of biases are crucial to ensure ethical and unbiased research output. 7
• Lack of interpretability: ChatGPT’s decision-making process is complex and not easily interpretable. Researchers may struggle to understand the reasoning behind the model’s generated responses, making it challenging to assess the reliability and credibility of the information provided. Ensuring transparency and interpretability in research papers becomes more challenging with such models. ChatGPT should cite the sources for its data, like Google Bard does.
• Plagiarism concerns: Because of its vast training data from the Internet, ChatGPT may inadvertently generate text that resembles or replicates existing content without proper citation or attribution. Researchers must be cautious about unintentional plagiarism and ensure that generated content is appropriately referenced and original. So, all ChatGPt-generated articles need to be double checked using antiplagiarism software.

In this commentary I have provided a comprehensive step-by-step guide for researchers and authors on harnessing the power of ChatGPT in the realm of research and publication. By exploring crucial aspects, such as data preprocessing, fine-tuning techniques, prompt engineering, and ethical considerations, the guide equips researchers with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively integrate ChatGPT into their scientific workflows. 8

Through clear instructions, examples, and guidelines, researchers can navigate the complexities of using ChatGPT, leading to enhanced productivity and improved quality in their research output. Moreover, I address the challenges associated with biases, interpretability, and plagiarism concerns, ensuring the responsible and ethical usage of ChatGPT as a research tool.

The significance of this research lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the rapid advancements in language models like ChatGPT and the research and publication process. By empowering researchers with the skills to leverage ChatGPT effectively, this guide fosters innovation, drives scientific progress, and opens up new possibilities for transformative contributions to various fields. 9

As language-driven technologies continue to evolve, researchers must stay abreast of the latest advancements and best practices. The step-by-step guide presented in this commentary serves as a valuable resource, providing researchers with the knowledge and guidance necessary to maximize the potential of ChatGPT in their research endeavors. By embracing the capabilities of ChatGPT and ensuring its responsible and ethical use, researchers can revolutionize the way research and publications are conducted. With ChatGPT as a powerful tool in their arsenal, researchers are poised to make significant strides in their respective fields, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and ushering in a new era of language-driven innovation. 10

However, and to reiterate, I cannot overemphasize that ChatGPT has, at present, many disadvantages, including inconsistencies, bias, and plagiarism concerns, that must be addressed by the human author before the article is submitted for publication to a journal, as well as prior to publication, because the human author(s) is solely responsible for their research integrity and accurate reporting.

In conclusion, I have attempted to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively leverage ChatGPT for research and publication purposes. It has also highlighted the problems and precautions that the human author(s) must take before publishing ChatGPT-generated content. By embracing this step-by-step guide, researchers can unlock the full potential of ChatGPT, driving scientific progress and shaping the future of research and publications.

• Please use ChatGPT only if allowed by your institution, research lab, and the journal in question.
• Please acknowledge ChatGPT within your manuscript/published paper wherever you are using it.
• Please do not fabricate or plagiarize data. ChatGPT can be used only for summarizing texts, improving English writeups, and brainstorming ideas, and not for creating fabricated research raw data.

Acknowledgment.

The author acknowledges that this article was partially generated by ChatGPT (powered by OpenAI’s language model, GPT-3; http://openai.com ). The editing was performed by the human author.

Disclosures. The author declare no conflicts or financial interest in any product or service mentioned in the manuscript, including grants, equipment, medications, employment, gifts, and honoraria.

Home → Academic Writing → How to Use ChatGPT to Write a Research Paper: Tips and Tricks to Get You Started

How to Use ChatGPT to Write a Research Paper: Tips and Tricks to Get You Started

Jordan Kruszynski

• January 4, 2024

If you’re an academic, you’ve probably spent a lot of time planning and writing research papers. It’s a fine art, and one that requires a fair amount of skill, precision and preparation. But whether you’re an old master in the field, or a rookie embarking on your first serious research paper, there are tools that can help you to simplify the planning stages and organise your thoughts more effectively.

One of those tools is the (in)famous ChatGPT , and it’s this that we’ll be focusing on in our article. In the right hands, ChatGPT can become a powerful research tool that will make your paper-writing that little bit easier. So sit back, relax, and discover our tips and tricks for using ChatGPT to write a research paper.

What is ChatGPT?

Just in case you don’t already know, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool developed by OpenAI that can help you with your research. It uses natural language processing to understand what you’re looking for and provide you with relevant information. You can ask it questions, and it will provide you with answers in a conversational style, as well as offer sources to back up its information.

One of the biggest advantages of ChatGPT is that it can save you time. Instead of spending hours searching for sources, you can simply ask ChatGPT for help. This can bring you a reliable list of sources for further investigation fairly quickly. It’s crucial to note however that the AI shouldn’t be exploited to do the actual writing of the paper for you. This could see you accused of plagiarism or misconduct, and besides, as a researcher, you’re probably rightfully proud of your ability to write a compelling paper.

Another advantage of ChatGPT is that it’s always available (even when libraries or other sources of information might be inaccessible) so you can work on your research paper at any time of day or night.

Interested in learning more about how AI programs like ChatGPT are changing the academic landscape? Listen to Oxford researcher Samantha-Kaye Johnston’s views from the frontline in this exciting episode of The Research Beat podcast.

The benefits of using ChatGPT to write a research paper

There are many benefits to using ChatGPT for research papers. Firstly, as we mentioned earlier, it can save you time . A slow drag of several hours looking for specific sources can be reduced to just a few minutes with the AI’s help.

Secondly, it can help you find sources that you might not have found otherwise . ChatGPT has access to a wide range of sources, including academic journals and books.

Thirdly, it can help you organise your research . ChatGPT can provide you with a summary of the information you’ve gathered, making it easier to analyse and integrate into your research paper.

How to use ChatGPT to write a research paper – a step by step guide

• Start by creating a list of questions that you want to answer in your research paper.
• Open ChatGPT and ask it one of the questions on your list, for example, ‘What is the critical history of feminist literature in Europe?’
• ChatGPT will provide you with a list of sources to check out.
• Read through the sources and take notes on the information that is relevant to your research question.
• Repeat steps 2-4 for each question on your list.
• Once you’ve gathered all of your information, organise it into an outline for your research paper.
• Use the information you’ve gathered to write your research paper.

Working with your sources

Once you have your sources in order, you might want to use prompts to get help from ChatGPT with other parts of the writing process. A prompt is a specific instruction to the AI that can give you tailored information or responses. For example, if you’re struggling to understand part of another research paper, you could use the following prompt:

‘Please explain the following paragraphs in simple words. I am having trouble understanding (insert concept here).’

Input the prompt along with the relevant passage from the source, and ChatGPT will provide a summary that could help you to unlock your understanding of the tricky concept.

Looking for ChatGPT prompts tailor-made for academics? Check out Audemic’s list of over 50 prompts to help you with your work and research!

Writing tips and tricks for using ChatGPT

When using ChatGPT to write a research paper, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, make sure that you’re using reliable sources . ChatGPT can provide you with a list of sources, but it’s up to you to determine which ones are reliable.

Secondly, make sure that you’re paraphrasing the information you’ve gathered in your own words . You don’t want to cheat or be accused of it.

Finally, make sure that you’re using the information you’ve gathered to answer your research questions . Everything you uncover through ChatGPT should be used to feed your own understanding and improve the quality and precision of your answers.

Common mistakes to avoid when using ChatGPT to write a research paper

While ChatGPT is an excellent tool for research papers, there are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Crucially, don’t rely too heavily on ChatGPT. It’s essential to do some of your research on your own and use ChatGPT to supplement it.
• Don’t forget to cite your sources correctly. Just because ChatGPT provided you with the information doesn’t mean that you don’t need to cite it. Moreover, ChatGPT cannot actually produce academic citations for you.
• Always remember to proofread your research paper carefully, especially if you’ve used AI elements to construct it.

ChatGPT vs. traditional research methods

While traditional research methods have their advantages and always will, ChatGPT, as we’ve seen, has some of its own. We think one of the best uses for AI programs like ChatGPT is to accelerate parts of the paper-writing process that would otherwise take hours. If you can use the AI to produce a list of interesting and relevant sources, then you can get to work quickly as an academic, studying and analysing those sources to determine their value within your paper. In general, if you approach ChatGPT with an attitude of maintaining quality and integrity, then it can only enhance your work.

Final Thoughts

ChatGPT is everywhere at the moment, and while it has stirred up a great deal of controversy thanks to its implications for academic integrity, it can be an excellent tool for helping to write research papers . The key is using it correctly, and not relying too heavily on it. Focusing on how it can enhance your already-sharp academic writing skills will allow you to save time, find plenty of valuable sources, and organise your paper’s structure more effectively. And that’s how to use ChatGPT to write a research paper!

ChatGPT is not the only AI tool that can help with these parts of the paper-writing puzzle. If you want to listen to academic papers, break them down into digestible pieces and freely take notes on them, then Audemic is waiting for you. Try it for free today!

Keep striving, researchers! ✨

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Use ChatGPT To Write A Research Paper: Chat GPT For Scientific Papers

Producing academic writing can be daunting, but with ChatGPT, OpenAI’s advanced AI language model, the process becomes more accessible and efficient.

Here, learn how ChatGPT transforms the traditional approach to writing research papers, offering innovative solutions from structuring outlines to crafting intricate arguments.

Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or a novice writer, discover how ChatGPT’s capabilities can enhance your research process, ensuring a comprehensive and well-articulated paper.

Use ChatGPT To Write A Scientific Research Paper 

Step 1: General Introduction

Imagine you’re about to write a scientific research paper. You have a specific topic in mind but are struggling with how to structure your paper or what essential points to include in your introduction.

This is where ChatGPT, OpenAI’s powerful AI language model, steps in to assist in the writing process.

Start by asking ChatGPT to create an outline. For instance, you could provide ChatGPT with your research question and any relevant details about your study.

The AI will generate an outline that covers key aspects of your introduction, helping you to organize your thoughts and structure your paper effectively.

After you’ve brainstormed and provided the necessary prompts, ChatGPT can help draft an initial version of your introduction. Remember, the output generated by ChatGPT may vary, and it’s essential to use ChatGPT in conjunction with your own expertise.

For example, you might tell ChatGPT to write an introduction for a paper on the impact of a certain technology in healthcare. ChatGPT can generate text based on your prompt, providing insights into:

• Existing research,
• Gaps in the literature, and
• The significance of your study.

This initial draft can serve as a valuable foundation for your research paper.

Some prompts that you can use include:

• Develop an introduction that captures the readers’ attention and provides a concise overview of the research topic: [research topic].
• Compose an introductory paragraph that effectively introduces the readers to the topic at hand: [research topic]. Provide background information, and context for the research.
• Create an introduction that sets the stage for an academic article centered around [research topic]. Highlight its rationals, and the structure of the article.

Step 2: Problem Statement

When you use ChatGPT to write a research paper, especially for crafting a problem statement, you begin by providing a clear prompt.

This includes outlining your research question and any specific details about your topic. ChatGPT’s AI language model then processes this information to generate a concise and coherent problem statement.

For instance, if your research paper is on the environmental impact of urban development, you would ask ChatGPT to focus on this specific topic.

The AI can assist by generating text that highlights existing research gaps, the significance of the study, and why addressing this particular issue is vital.

ChatGPT can help structure your paper, creating an outline that seamlessly leads from the problem statement to other sections of your paper.

Remember, the content generated by ChatGPT should be used as a starting point. It’s crucial to review and edit this to ensure originality and accuracy. Proofreading the paper for grammar and making necessary revisions is a must.

Step 3: Research Question :

Writing research questions for your paper can seem daunting, but with ChatGPT, you can streamline this critical part of the writing process. You can start by asking ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas specific to your topic.

Say your research paper is on climate change’s effects on agriculture. Tell ChatGPT, “Generate research questions about the impact of climate change on crop yield.”

ChatGPT’s output will include various questions, such as “How does increased temperature affect wheat production in the Midwest?” These prompts can spark further ideas and help you refine your research objectives.

Remember, while ChatGPT can assist in the research paper writing process, it cannot write the paper entirely. Use the content generated by ChatGPT as a foundation, and then build upon it with your research and insights.

It’s always vital to review and edit the AI-generated material to ensure it aligns with your research goals and fills the gaps in existing literature.

Some example prompts to generate research objectives include:

• Generate a list of potential research questions about [research topic]
• Suggest innovative research questions focusing on [research topic]
• Identify research questions exploring the relationship between [variable 1 in research] and [variable 2 in research]

Step 4: Literature Review

Next, ask ChatGPT to assist in creating an outline for your literature review. For example, if you input, “Create an outline for a literature review on AI and environmental sustainability,” ChatGPT can structure your paper effectively, outlining key:

• and subtopics.

This AI language model excels in organizing research, laying out a coherent structure for your review.

Now, onto the juicy part: generating content. You can provide ChatGPT with prompts like, “Summarise recent studies on AI and renewable energy sources.”

ChatGPT will respond with a synthesis of:

• Incorporating recent studies and
• Key findings.

While ChatGPT can generate text and even suggest citations, it’s always crucial to cross-check and validate these with your research materials.

Remember, ChatGPT’s output is a starting point. You still need to review and edit the content for grammar, punctuation, and relevance to your research topic.

It’s essential to use ChatGPT in conjunction with your expertise, especially when analysing and interpreting data. The AI model can provide a valuable foundation, but the depth and accuracy of your literature review depend on your critical analysis and human expertise.

• Analyze and summarize the existing literature on [research topic], identifying the major theories, methodologies and results used in previous research.
• Analyze the limitations in the existing literature on [research topic], suggesting gaps for further research and exploration.
• Conduct a systematic literature review on [research topic], organising and categorising the relevant research papers based on their research questions, methodologies, and findings.

Step 5: Research Methodology

The next step is structuring your paper, particularly the methodology section. Here, ChatGPT’s prowess in generating an organized outline comes into play.

You can ask ChatGPT to create an outline for your methodology section. This AI tool can suggest various research methods relevant to your topic, such as:

• Qualitative,
• Quantitative, or
• Mixed methods.

It’s like having a virtual research assistant who understands the nuances of scientific research paper writing.

When it comes to the actual content generation, ChatGPT can provide you with a basic draft. For example, you can prompt ChatGPT with, “Generate a draft for the methodology section on a paper about online learning effectiveness.”

ChatGPT will produce a text that covers key aspects like:

• Sample size,
• Data collection methods, and
• Analysis techniques.

While ChatGPT can generate content, it’s essential to use it in conjunction with your own expertise. The content needs to be reviewed and edited to fit your specific research context.

ChatGPT can assist in organising your research and generating initial drafts, but the accuracy and relevancy of the methodology depend on your input and analysis.

• Write a detailed methodology section for conducting a qualitative study on [research topic].
• Create a data collection plan and describe the data analysis techniques in a quantitative research study on [research topic]
• Suggest a research design and methodology for conducting an experimental study on [research topic].

Step 6: Findings

Once you’ve gathered your data, the next step is to make sense of it. Here, ChatGPT can be used to brainstorm different ways to analyse and interpret your data. 

If your research paper is on the effects of a new educational strategy on student performance, you can ask ChatGPT to suggest various statistical methods to analyze your results. 

ChatGPT’s ability to process natural language and generate text-based suggestions can provide you with unique insights that may not have been immediately apparent.

When it comes to writing about your findings, ChatGPT can assist in structuring this section of your paper. You can tell ChatGPT about the results you obtained and ask for help in creating an outline that effectively presents these findings.

The AI model can suggest how to organize your results, discuss their implications, and highlight key points that are relevant to your research question.

You will need to review, edit, and ensure that the findings are accurately represented and align with the collected data.

• Analyse the findings related to [research topic] below, and then present and interpret the quantitative data collected below in a comprehensive report.
• Discuss the reliability and validity of the data about  [research topic] in the study below, based on relevant literature.
• Describe the key patterns and trends observed in the qualitative data gathered during the research on [research topic].

Use Chat GPT To Brainstorm And Write A Research Paper

ChatGPT emerges as a revolutionary tool in the realm of academic writing, offering unparalleled assistance in crafting research papers. Its ability to generate ideas, structure content, and provide insights makes it an invaluable asset for researchers and students alike.

It’s important to remember that while ChatGPT is a powerful aid, the uniqueness and depth of a research paper ultimately depend on the writer’s critical thinking and expertise. Embrace ChatGPT as a collaborative partner in your scholarly endeavours for enhanced research and writing efficiency.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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• 07 July 2023
• Correction 11 July 2023

Scientists used ChatGPT to generate an entire paper from scratch — but is it any good?

• Gemma Conroy

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

A pair of scientists has produced a research paper in less than an hour with the help of ChatGPT — a tool driven by artificial intelligence (AI) that can understand and generate human-like text. The article was fluent, insightful and presented in the expected structure for a scientific paper, but researchers say that there are many hurdles to overcome before the tool can be truly helpful.

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Nature 619 , 443-444 (2023)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02218-z

Updates & Corrections

Correction 11 July 2023 : An earlier version of this story implied that human researchers had guided ChatGPT through the steps to create a research paper. In fact, the data-to-paper tool developed by Kishony and Ifargan acted as an intermediary between ChatGPT and the researchers. The text has been corrected in several places to reflect this.

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How to Use ChatGPT for Research and Essays

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For better or worse, OpenAI’s ChatGPT has become a big part of our lives. It’s become integral to gathering information, researching topics, and creating written works. And frankly, not using it might put you at a disadvantage academically.

However, this AI is not flawless; there is a method to use it to help with your essays and research. Using it the right way will help you avoid plagiarism issues or inaccurate information. Here, we’ll show you how to use ChatGPT to write an essay ethically, so it comes out as a quality, factual, and original piece.

1. Draw Your Outline Without ChatGPT

Assuming you already have an idea for your project, the first thing you should do before you hop on ChatGPT’s website is to prepare your thesis and outline without using AI. It’s a vital step to making sure the core of your essay actually comes from you.

If you use ChatGPT to prompt an outline for you, it could promote idea laziness, and you will find ChatGPT’s suggestions may have replaced the ones you could have produced on your own. So, get a piece of paper or a blank word processor page and create an outline for your essay.

Also, ChatGPT will avoid controversial topics—even in an outline. Therefore, you might find yourself with an outline missing vital pieces of historical sections if you rely on it. This bias is one of the major problems with OpenAI’s ChatGPT .

2. Prompt ChatGPT to Draw a Parallel Outline

Before you begin this section, if this is your first time using ChatGPT, you should read our guide on how to use ChatGPT . It will help you with creating an account and defining its capabilities. Once that’s out of the way, you can move on to the next step.

Now that you have an original outline, it doesn’t matter how basic it looks; you can use ChatGPT to create another outline. Craft a prompt with this template:

ChatGPT’s result is far more detailed than our outline. Here, you should adopt the parts of ChatGPT’s outline you would like to integrate into your own. Combine the best of the two and flesh out an outline that will guide you best as you write.

3. Create a ChatGPT Prompt for Each Section

Now that you have an outline with sections, you can begin to hack away at it section by section. Start with your introduction, where you will include your thesis statement. Ask ChatGPT to create multiple thesis statements on your idea, and choose the one that best encapsulates the major point you’re trying to communicate in your essay.

You can do something similar for all the other sections as well. Tell the AI to generate written pieces on your section topics. Don’t forget to add that it communicates the point in the tone you want. In most cases, essays should sound academic. Therefore, our prompt for each section looked like this:

Do not just copy and paste the information it generates; the next step is a vital second part of this methodology.

4. Confirm the Information With a Reputable Source

As you begin to write, you must check if the information you’re getting from ChatGPT is indeed correct. You must do this because ChatGPT occasionally hallucinates , coming up with its own facts and making up sources when you ask it to direct you to where it got its information. In some cases, it blatantly refuses to tell you at all where it got its data.

The free version of ChatGPT is not actively connected to the internet and cannot fetch information after September 2021. If you need this functionality, then it could be time to upgrade to ChatGPT Plus —especially if this is a tool you will be using heavily for work or school.

The bottom line is that you should use a reputable source (such as a book from an authority or an official website) to support every important statement you put down. You can also learn how to use Google to fact-check information .

5. Use ChatGPT for Examples and Breakdowns

It’s counterproductive to write about ideas that you don’t even understand yourself. When you reach a part of your essay that you don’t properly understand, you should go to ChatGPT and have it broken down for you.

That’s really the one thing you can count on ChatGPT to do in this process. It has good skill in crafting useful examples and explaining complicated ideas in a form you can easily understand. A popular way of phrasing a prompt to make ChatGPT explain something complicated is adding “explain like I’m five” to your prompt.

Here we used ChatGPT to break down hip and elbow dysplasia conditions in a way that is easier to understand. And it used analogies like jigsaw puzzles to paint a clearer image of what it might look like.

6. Write the Essay Yourself

As we’ve stated earlier, under no condition should you ask ChatGPT to write your whole essay for you. Not only is that lazy and deceitful, but it could also open you up to plagiarism and submitting incorrect information.

Ensure that every line in your essay is typed with your hands. Besides, if you’re writing an academic essay where you must cite sources, you will still need to corroborate all the points you’ve made with a corresponding authority. That means you’ll have to go and fact-check everything ChatGPT has written and find a corroborating source.

This could even take more time than just writing it yourself because the AI could have hallucinated some of its facts, leading you on a wild goose chase as you try to find a citation for something that doesn’t exist.

Lastly, ChatGPT doesn’t match the nuanced knowledge of a human professional in heavily specialized fields or journals that need up-to-date information. Reading a book or article by an expert, internalizing it, and writing it in your own words will give you far better results than relying on ChatGPT.

7. Polish the Style and Citation With ChatGPT

After writing, you can paste portions of your essay and ask ChatGPT to shorten, lengthen, or optimize the style. ChatGPT is good at mimicking popular styles, and you can use that to your advantage. If you want your writing to sound a little more professional, it can help rephrase it.

If you’re having trouble with citation styles and how to integrate them into your essay, you can present your essay to ChatGPT, give it your sources, and ask it to weld them together for you.

ChatGPT Is a Tool, Not a Solution

You can’t “ChatGPT” away academic or professional work; you must use it the same way you would use a tool. Take a calculator, for instance; it doesn’t replace the mathematician but improves the mathematician. You should use ChatGPT the same way a mathematician will use a calculator: for the boring, repetitive, rote work.

Let the ideas and story come from you and your experiences. And if you want to keep using ChatGPT as a student, make sure you know what you shouldn't do.

• Artificial Intelligence

Using ChatGPT to assist with writing a research paper

Enhance your academic writing with AI! Explore how ChatGPT helps you draft your methods section, brainstorm counterargument ideas, and write a compelling conclusion.

Are you struggling with writing the methods section of your research paper? Learn how ChatGPT can make this task easier with these steps:

Step 1: Brainstorm

Start by creating a bullet-point list of key details about your research methodology. Don't worry about language or structure at this stage; focus on getting the information down.

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT to refine

Input your bullet points and ask ChatGPT to provide detailed descriptions. This approach saves time and effort and ensures a comprehensive description of your methodology.

Step 3: Review ChatGPT’s output Review the output from ChatGPT and put your own touch on it. Remember that you are collaborating with ChatGPT and using it as a partner and it may not give you the perfect output every time.

You can also use ChatGPT to develop counterarguments and the conclusion of your scientific paper.

Counterarguments

Input your arguments and ask ChatGPT to create counterarguments that strengthen your main argument and show different sides of the topic.

Start by drafting your conclusion, and then ask ChatGPT to rewrite your paragraph as a conclusion. Incorporate counterarguments in your conclusion to provide a well-rounded viewpoint and strengthen your argument.

Start the first chapter of our ChatGPT Essentials for Clinicians course for free

If you're not using ChatGPT and other language learning models (LLM) to enhance your abilities and streamline your work, you're missing out on the future of medicine! 

Let's dive into the basics of ChatGPT and master the art of effective prompting—the key to harnessing the potential of these AI tools. This will enable you to compose academic content, simplify information, organize data, and much more.

ChatGPT and Academic Research: A Review and Recommendations Based on Practical Examples

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How to Use ChatGPT To Write A Research Paper

Over the past three years, we’ve helped thousands of students write research papers with research mentors. And, since the public release of ChatGPT, we’ve been getting questions about how best to use (and not use) this new technology. In this article, we outline the best ways to use ChatGPT from our experience including the ways that ChatGPT can help out academic writing - and the ways that it can be limited. We’re researchers ourselves - our founders met at Harvard while doing a research program - so we’ll show you what we’re seeing and how you can use it for your own papers.

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI. It is designed to generate human-like responses to any input you desire, making it a powerful tool for anyone. ChatGPT can understand social contexts, recognize patterns, and generate coherent messages. Here’s an example from our co-cofounder Stephen, when he used ChatGPT to try to recreate a paper one of his students wrote on high school employment.

As you can see from his article, ChatGPT was quite good at building a somewhat credible sounding literature review - but wasn’t as good at identifying accurate information. ChatGPT has gotten better since he wrote that piece (in December, 2022), but it still makes factual mistakes which can be dangerous for a researcher when using ChatGPT.

ChatGPT has already been used to write complex code for algorithms, transcribed new poems and stories, and

7 Ways to Use ChatGPT to Write A Research Paper

Below, we outline a few steps to use ChatGPT when writing a research paper. We begin with thinking about the structure of the paper and then moving to discuss how you can level up the existing writing you’ve done.

1. Summarize Other Research Papers

As an up-and-coming researcher, other scientific papers may be extremely dense and difficult to read. Have ChatGPT summarize the article for you.

Us: Write a paragraph summary of "Acceleration of 1I/‘Oumuamua from radiolytically produced H2 in H2O ice" by Bergner.

ChatGPT: In the paper "Acceleration of 1I/‘Oumuamua from radiolytically produced H2 in H2O ice", Bergner explores the possibility that the interstellar object 'Oumuamua could have been propelled by gas released from its surface due to the decomposition of water ice by cosmic radiation. The author presents a theoretical model and calculations to support this hypothesis and shows that the acceleration observed in 'Oumuamua's trajectory could be explained by the release of hydrogen gas from the object's surface. The study suggests that the radiolytic decomposition of water ice could be a common mechanism for the propulsion of interstellar objects and highlights the importance of further investigating the properties and behavior of such objects.

2. Edit Your Style and Grammar

ChatGPT’s ability to deeply understand English can be used as a grammar checker by inputting any text into the chat window and receiving feedback on any grammatical errors. This can already be done with other existing software, but the most exciting thing is that ChatGPT can transform any input you enter into the prompt.

If you believe that your essay sounds too informal, utilizes rudimentary vocabulary that you want to upgrade, or you want to add more technical terms, you can say just that. Copy your essay into the prompt, with your request, such as “ Use fancier scientific knowledge/terminology to applicable places in my essay. ” or “Edit my essay to increase the brevity of this paragraph.” or “Make this essay more at the level for 8th graders/college-level research paper.”

Outside of research papers, you could even use this to change the tone or style of any writing pieces. “Transform this essay into a long prose in the style of a limerick. “Write this paragraph about my day yesterday in the style of a Ph.D research paper.”

3. Generating an First Outline

Writing a large research paper can be extremely overwhelming, and sometimes, you may not even know where to start. An outline can be extremely helpful, and can be generated by ChatGPT. You can even specialize and customize this outline based on your needs and specialities, as each paper and style of paper will have its unique structures.

Us: Draft an outline for a biology research paper at a college level

I. Introduction

A. Background information on the topic

B. Significance of the research question

C. Research objectives and hypotheses

D. Brief overview of the structure of the paper

II. Literature review

A. Overview of the relevant literature

B. Key concepts and theories related to the topic

C. Previous research on the topic

D. Gaps in the literature and the need for further research

III. Methods

A. Description of the study design and methodology

B. Sampling strategy and sample size

C. Data collection techniques and instrumentation

D. Data analysis methods

… and it continues on until the end of the paper.

4. Build a First Draft to Your Paper

Similar to above, we can have ChatGPT generate ideas and new content based off of your outlines for any research papers. With any idea you may have, you can have ChatGPT write a couple sentences that could kickstart your thinking process or use as experimentation. For example,

Us: Write three sentences on the effect and most prevalent gut microbiota regulating the immune system

ChatGPT: The gut microbiota is known to modulate the immune system via complex interactions with immune cells, including regulatory T cells and antigen-presenting cells. Alterations in gut microbial composition, such as a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, and an increase in pathogenic bacteria, have been linked to several immune-mediated diseases. Therefore, maintaining a healthy balance of gut microbiota is essential for immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune disorders.

From your outline, you can begin using this to begin bolstering your essay with actual content, utilizing this generated content as a text-filled outline to begin writing the rest of the paper. Be sure to edit, fact check anything that you may not recognize, and do not purely just copy and paste.

5. Expand and Draw Conclusions From Experiments

Sometimes during research, you run into a roadblock and cannot figure out where to go further from your recent experiment. You may just need another person, or better yet, a computer to help you out.

Us: What conclusions can I draw from a western blot and what experiments should I conduct afterwards?

ChatGPT: A Western blot is a widely used technique in molecular biology to detect and quantify specific proteins in a sample. The conclusions that can be drawn from a Western blot depend on the research question being addressed, but generally, the presence or absence of a target protein in the sample can be inferred from the signal intensity of the band observed on the blot. Other conclusions, such as the size and post-translational modifications of the protein of interest, can also be deduced based on the molecular weight and mobility of the band.

After obtaining initial results from a Western blot, it is important to conduct further experiments to confirm and extend the findings. For example, one could perform additional Western blots using different antibodies to validate the specificity of the signal, or use techniques such as co-immunoprecipitation or mass spectrometry to identify interacting partners or modifications of the target protein. It may also be useful to compare the levels of the target protein across different samples or experimental conditions to gain insight into its regulation and function. Additionally, follow-up experiments could involve perturbing the expression or activity of the protein of interest to investigate its role in cellular processes or disease states.

6. Correct Misconceptions As an Encyclopedia

It can be easy to mix up pieces of information, or just accidentally mess up something. Use the internet as an encyclopedia for your convenience.

Us: Cesium fluoride has been shown to exhibit unique catalytic properties in organic reactions due to its high reactivity and low ionization potential, making it an attractive alternative to traditional catalysts.

ChatGPT: The sentence is partially true, as Cesium fluoride (CsF) is indeed known for its high reactivity and low ionization potential. However, it is not commonly used as a catalyst in organic reactions because it is a strong base and can cause unwanted side reactions. In addition, CsF is also expensive and can be difficult to handle due to its high reactivity with moisture in the air. Therefore, CsF is not a common alternative to traditional catalysts in organic reactions.

7. Use as a Writing Partner Throughout Your Process

How many times have you wished that you had someone to banter with, to run ideas through, to ask if this paragraph makes sense in the structure of your paper. While ChatGPT may be just a computer, its natural language processing origins means that it can be great to answer these questions above. ChatGPT can assess readability, make sure that a sentence fits into place with the “story” of your research, and do much of what another person “reading over” your essay can do.

How to NOT Use ChatGPT?

While being such a valuable resource, there are many, many reasons and scenarios to not use ChatGPT. ChatGPT, at its heart, can be an aid to progressing your education, but never a replacement for using critical thinking skills or purely – to learn.

1. Write Your Entire Research Paper For You Through Copy and Paste

It may be tempting to just ask all of your research questions and copy and paste what ChatGPT generates for you, but is taking the “easy” way out the best way to go? Remember that ChatGPT is trained from data and continues to be an ever-evolving model, but not perfect and never fully accurate. It can easily misdirect you with information that may seem correct, but are fully factually inaccurate. Additionally, think of all of the moral issues with submitting work that was not created by you and conclusions not synthesized by you.

2. Analyze Your Data

ChatGPT cannot synthesize new information and conclusions based on posted data, due to its limitations as a language model. ChatGPT is just an advanced version of existing language models, which can only predict the next word based off of the previous word based off of previous data it has learned from. It can be difficult, or flat out wrong, to synthesize conclusions based on what ChatGPT has analyzed.

If you’re looking for the opportunity to research under the guidance of a mentor that is not ChatGPT, then consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program . Last year over 2100 students applied for about 500 spots in the program. You can find the application form here.

Aaron Zheng is a sophomore at Harvard University, studying Bioengineering. He is passionate about biotechnology, business development, and aiding students get to college, regardless of background. In his spare time, he looks to read, journal, and explore the world.

Image source: Stock image.

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

How to use ChatGPT to analyze PDFs (and more) for free

From contracts to research papers, most important documents come in lengthy PDFs -- regardless of what you do, you're guaranteed to encounter them in your lifetime, and they nearly always contain verbose language. This is especially true if you are a student because teachers of all grade levels love to assign PDF handouts. AI can now help you better understand the content and save time doing so. 

ChatGPT can act as your assistant by parsing through the PDFs and being on standby for anything you need. It can answer questions, provide summaries, and even generate content from the text, including outlines, emails, and more. The best part is that the feature is entirely free. 

Also: How to get ChatGPT to browse the web for free

In May 2024, nearly a year after ChatGPT launched, OpenAI upgraded the free version of the chatbot with several GPT-4o features typically reserved for their paying customers, including the ability to upload screenshots, photos, and documents. Getting started with the tool is easy, and in the long run, it will save you lots of time and effort. 

How to use ChatGPT to analyze PDFs

1. log into chatgpt.

Even though OpenAI allows you to access ChatGPT without logging in, you will need to sign in to your account to use GPT-4o and its advanced features, including  Browse, Vision, data analysis, file uploads, and GPTs.

Also:  How to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas

If you have never created a ChatGPT account, you can easily do so from the sign-in page or login with your existing Google or Microsoft account. I opted for the latter option, so I don't have to memorize another username and password. 

2. Upload your PDF

Once you sign in, you will be brought to the ChatGPT interface. Next to the textbox where you would typically insert text to start chatting, you will see a little paper clip icon. When you click that, you will have several options: Connect to Google Drive, Connect to Microsoft OneDrive, or Upload from a computer. 

Also:  The best AI chatbots of 2024: ChatGPT, Copilot and worthy alternatives

Select the best option for where your document lives. Since I typically upload a document I just downloaded, I always opt for upload from my computer. Then, you can click on the PDF you want assistance with. For this example, I am using a PDF of one of my ZDNET articles.  

3. Add your question

Once you upload the PDF, you can accompany it with a text query that indicates what you'd like ChatGPT to do. You can make these prompts as adventurous or simple as you'd like. I kept it simple and asked for a summary: "Can you summarize what this article is about?" 

Also: How ChatGPT (and other AI chatbots) can help you write an essay

As you can see in the photo below, I immediately got a comprehensive four-sentence summary, and since I wrote the article, I can verify that it was accurate. 

You can also elicit the chatbot's help for more complex tasks. For example, you could ask the chatbot to "Take out the action items found in this PDF, place them in bullet points, and format them into an email addressed to my boss." 

Also:  ChatGPT vs. Microsoft Copilot vs. Gemini: Which is the best AI chatbot?

Overall, using ChatGPT to help parse through dense PDFs can help you save time and sift through long-winded paragraphs. Of course, always make sure to check ChatGPT's work for hallucinations, just in case. If you want to explore more document-summarizing tools, stay tuned for similar capabilities  coming to Apple OS  later this year.

Can ChatGPT summarize PDFs?

Yes, ChatGPT can summarize PDFs for all users with an OpenAI account. Once signed in, users need to click on the paperclip icon next to the text box, select the PDF they would like analyzed, and accompany it with a text prompt explaining what they'd like ChatGPT to do. 

Can ChatGPT summarize content other than PDFs?

Yes, ChatGPT can summarize pretty much any content, including PDFs, images, handwritten notes, websites, copied and pasted text, and more. The steps are similar. You need to sign in or create an OpenAI account, import the content you want into ChatGPT, and accompany it with the text you need. 

Are ChatGPT's summarizing features free?

Yes, ChatGPT's summarizing features are free. The only caveat is that you need to have an OpenAI account, which is free to create. Creating an account is easy because you can use an existing Google or Microsoft account or just make a new username and password. 

Artificial Intelligence

5 free ai tools for school that students, teachers, and parents can use, too, college students: this new ai tool could make doing the reading easier, how i test an ai chatbot's coding ability - and you can, too.

ChatGPT 4o - Research Techniques Made Simple | Summary and Q&A

Chat GPT Omni simplifies research by analyzing papers and enhancing writing efficiency.

Install to Summarize YouTube Videos and Get Transcripts

Key insights.

• 💯 Chat GPT Omni can decipher complex academic papers and articulate their core components, alleviating the burden on researchers to interpret the technical content independently.
• 👻 The voice interaction feature of Chat GPT Omni allows more fluid communication, facilitating the drafting process without the barriers of formal writing.
• 👨‍🔬 Enhanced memory and contextual understanding enable Chat GPT Omni to provide tailored responses and maintain continuity in discussions about ongoing research topics.
• 🏑 The ability to generate structured outlines for various academic genres makes Chat GPT Omni a versatile tool, applicable across multiple fields of study.
• 🤳 Users can leverage the model's capacity to self-correct and extract data from multiple sources, streamlining the process of creating comprehensive scientific narratives.
• 😒 The use of Chat GPT Omni can substantially reduce the time required for research preparation, allowing researchers to focus on experimentation and innovation.
• 💨 This tool encourages interdisciplinary research by effectively managing diverse topics and structuring information in a way that accommodates various academic disciplines.

the first way that you can use chat GPT for Omni for science and research is like this I really like using it for talking about and explaining papers so here I've got a paper this is one of my papers I've uploaded it and it's as easy as dragging and dropping it into this message bar and just saying explain this a paper to me and the key results cle... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: how does chat gpt omni assist in analyzing scientific papers.

Chat GPT Omni offers the ability to upload scientific papers in PDF format and requests an explanation of the content. It effectively summarizes the introduction, methodology, and key results. This tool can also interpret figures from the document, providing extracted visual data that enhances comprehension for presentations or discussions.

Q: Can users interact with Chat GPT Omni using voice commands?

Yes, users can utilize voice commands to engage with Chat GPT Omni. By speaking their research topics or questions aloud, the model can listen, generate coherent paragraphs, and translate spoken language into precise scientific writing. This feature helps alleviate the stress of organizing thoughts when drafting academic pieces.

Q: What makes the structuring capabilities of Chat GPT Omni superior?

The structuring capabilities of Chat GPT Omni are noteworthy as they allow users to generate outlines and detailed structures for literature reviews and scientific papers quickly. It understands the context of the user’s request, significantly minimizing the need for complicated prompts compared to previous iterations of text models.

Q: How can researchers benefit from using figures with Chat GPT Omni?

Researchers can enhance their work by uploading figures alongside their requests to Chat GPT Omni. The model analyzes and extracts text and context from figures to create structured narratives or discussions for their papers. This functionality significantly improves the integration of visual data into written research.

Summary & Key Takeaways

Chat GPT Omni streamlines the research process by allowing users to upload PDFs and receive comprehensive summaries, including key results and figures, which can enhance understanding and presentations of scientific papers.

The model excels in transforming a user’s spoken or jumbled thoughts into coherent academic paragraphs, making it an invaluable tool for drafting and structuring scientific writing without getting lost in the details.

It offers powerful features for literature reviews, providing structured outlines and context-sensitive guidance, enabling researchers to generate quality starting points quickly for various academic fields.

Share This Summary 📚

Summarize youtube videos and get video transcripts with 1-click, explore more summaries from andy stapleton 📚.

ChatGPT cover letter hack — 7 prompts to make your job application stand out

Struggling with cover letters? Here's how ChatGPT can help you land that job interview

Crafting a compelling cover letter in today's competitive job market can be daunting. Enter ChatGPT , the popular AI language model that's revolutionizing how we approach writing tasks. While many know how to use ChatGPT to help you write a resume , its potential for creating standout cover letters is equally impressive. By harnessing AI's language processing capabilities, you can refine your writing, tailor your message, and effectively highlight your key qualifications. But ChatGPT's usefulness doesn't stop there. Did you know it can also analyze PDFs for free —making industry research so much easier. And to streamline the job application process, you can even connect Google Drive to ChatGPT for easy document access. This guide will show you how to leverage ChatGPT to create impressive cover letters while maintaining your authentic voice. Remember, AI is here to enhance not to replace your personal touch. Let's dive in and discover how to make ChatGPT your secret weapon in landing your dream job! 

1. Analyze the job description

Log in or sign up to ChatGPT . Begin by pasting the job description into the prompt box and asking it to identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. This analysis will help you understand exactly what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate.

You can use a prompt like: Analyze this job description and list the top 5 skills and qualifications the employer is seeking . Then , hit Enter. 

2. Outline your cover letter

Once you have a clear understanding of the job requirements, ask ChatGPT to create a basic outline for your cover letter based on the job description analysis . This will provide a structure for your letter and ensure you address all the key points.

Try using a prompt such as: Create an outline for a cover letter addressing these top 5 skills and qualifications.

3. Craft your opening paragraph

Use ChatGPT to generate ideas for an attention-grabbing opening paragraph that expresses your enthusiasm for the position. This is your chance to make a strong first impression, so consider asking for multiple options. 

You might use a prompt like: Generate three engaging opening paragraphs for a cover letter applying for [job title] at [company name] .

4. Highlight your relevant experience

Provide ChatGPT with bullet points from your resume. Then, ask it to transform them into compelling sentences that align with the job requirements . This step helps you tailor your experience to the specific role. A useful prompt could be: Turn these resume bullet points into persuasive sentences for a cover letter, focusing on how they relate to [specific job requirements].

5. Create a strong closing

Ask ChatGPT to suggest impactful closing paragraphs that reiterate your interest and qualifications. A strong closing can leave a lasting impression on your prospective employer.

Try a prompt like: Write a closing paragraph for my cover letter that summarizes my fit for the role and expresses enthusiasm for an interview.

6. Refine and personalize

Ask ChatGPT to combine all the elements to create your cover letter. Then use it to help you fine-tune your language and add a personal touch to the cover letter. This step ensures your letter doesn't sound generic or AI-generated.

A good prompt for this could be: Review the cover letter generated and suggest ways to make it more personalized and engaging. If you're happy with the suggestions, ask ChatGPT to apply them.

7. Proofread and edit

Finally, ask ChatGPT to proofread your cover letter and suggest any improvements in grammar, style, or clarity. While ChatGPT is excellent at catching errors, always review its suggestions yourself. 

You can use a prompt like: Please proofread the cover letter and suggest any improvements in grammar, style, or clarity. Once you're happy with the cover letter letter, copy and paste into a document to send. Happy job hunting! 

So that's it! If you're curious about what else is happening in AI right now, OpenAI has knocked Gemini off the top of chatbot leaderboard with its new model, thanks to some rapid advancements. These include extending beyond text, as evidenced by recent experiences with voice AI. Read what happened when our AI editor spent the weekend with GPT-4o Advanced Voice . Finally, big things are undoubtedly coming, with news from OpenAI that ChatGPT got a secret upgrade , so make sure you check Tom's Guide regularly for the best guides on how to utilize AI to help with your everyday tasks.

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Kaycee is an Editor at Tom’s Guide and has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her journey into the tech world began as Cazoo's Knowledge Content Specialist, igniting her enthusiasm for technology. When she’s not exploring the latest gadgets and innovations, Kaycee can be found immersed in her favorite video games, or penning her second poetry collection. 

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Grammarly AI Content Detector Review: Easy to Bypass

Does grammarly's ai detector effectively detect ai-generated content we reviewed the grammarly ai detector using the raid dataset and three samples of chatgpt content to find out — these are our results.

As AI content generation continues to advance, more brands are adding AI-based features and AI tools to their offerings.

One brand that’s recently gone down this avenue is Grammarly. In August 2024, Grammarly released an announcement that it’s adding an AI content detector to its suite of tools. This news comes despite Grammarly’s previous stance that AI detection tools are ‘unreliable.’ 

In this review, we’ll test the Grammarly AI Content Detector to see if it’s reliable.

In This Article

• Find out what Grammarly is
• Discover why there’s interest in tools like Grammarly's AI detector
• Review our AI content detection tests with Grammarly and the Originality AI Detector
• Get a final verdict on whether Grammarly is a reliable tool

What Is Grammarly?

Grammarly initially launched into the mainstream as a grammar-checking tool, offering users a free plugin that helped them ensure their grammar was correct, their word usage was as effective as possible, and the structure of their content matched their intent.

Since then, the tool has become a go-to option for marketers, small business owners, and writers.

Despite their apparent distrust of AI content detectors as ‘unreliable’ (see the above screenshot), Grammarly has decided to create their own tool. Hopefully, this is a sign that the company is coming to an understanding of the importance of AI detection .

Why are people interested in Grammarly's AI Detector?

There is no doubt that AI content generation has its benefits. It can be an incredible tool for creating content briefs or helping with content ideation .

However, AI text also creates problems , including plagiarism, a lack of transparency, and problems with potentially getting marked as spam by Google .

With that in mind, industry leaders, business owners, and marketing experts are looking for a reliable AI detector to gain clarity for content production and content consumption.

Grammarly AI Detector Review With RAID Dataset

In our evaluation of the Grammarly AI Detector using the RAID AI detection accuracy study dataset , it is clear that the detector is highly susceptible to bypassing techniques, especially when tested with adversarial attacks.

The RAID dataset , designed to test the robustness of AI content detectors, showed critical weakness in Grammarly’s AI detection capabilities.

Grammarly’s Performance

• Poor Performance : Grammarly's AI detector scored an F1 of 0.364 and a low recall of 0.222 , missing most AI-generated content.
• Easily Bypassed : Simple text alterations, such as paraphrasing, alternative spellings, and formatting changes, can evade Grammarly's detection.
• Limited Scope : Struggles with AI-generated content from models beyond GPTs or Llama, showing a narrow detection capability.
• Accuracy: 22.22%

Originality.ai’s Performance

• Strong Performance : Originality.ai scored an F1 of 0.918 and a high recall of 0.848 , effectively detecting most AI-generated content.
• Highly Accurate : With a perfect precision of 1.0 , Originality.ai’s AI checker accurately detected AI-generated content with an Accuracy of 84.84%
• Wide Detection Capability : Performed consistently across different adversarial attacks and AI models, showing strong robustness against a wide range of AI-generated text.

Dataset used for evaluation

The RAID dataset (Robust AI Detection) is a benchmark specifically designed to evaluate the robustness of AI-generated text detectors.

It includes a wide variety of adversarial attacks and multiple AI models making it an effective tool to test a detector's ability to identify manipulated AI-generated content. The dataset's diversity in text manipulations and generative models helps expose weaknesses in AI detection tools, highlighting their susceptibility to adversarial techniques.

• Adversarial Attacks: alternative_spelling, article_deletion, insert_paragraphs, number, paraphrase, perplexity_misspelling, synonym, upper_lower, whitespace
• Models: chatgpt, cohere, cohere-chat, gpt2, gpt3, gpt4, llama-chat, mistral, mistral-chat, mpt, mpt-chat
• Total number of samples selected: 99 (11 from each kind of adversarial attack x model)

The verdict: Grammarly is easy to bypass with the RAID dataset

In conclusion, Grammarly’s AI detection might be able to catch obvious instances of AI-generated text. However, it’s easy to bypass with minimal effort. On the other hand, Originality.ai’s AI detector demonstrated a strong, robust performance as a more reliable AI content detection tool.

How We Tested Grammarly’s AI Detector With 3 ChatGPT Content Samples

As part of this review, we tested Grammarly’s AI detector with three different forms of AI content.

Step 1 : We started by building out detailed prompts for each test before posting them into ChatGPT , one of the most frequently used AI content generators.

Step 2 : From there, we took the exact copy output from ChatGPT for each test and pasted the results into Grammarly’s AI content detector (without making any changes) to help show whether or not the tool can detect AI-generated content.

Step 3 : For comparison, we also took that exact same copy and pasted it into the Originality.ai AI content detector , allowing us to see how each tool compares with the same content input.

The three types of content used in this test include:

• Research papers
• Promotional emails

AI Content Sample 1: Blog Post

Prompt : " Write a concise blog post on the benefits of investing in a summerhouse as a garden office, targeting professionals and business owners.

Key points:

• Introduction: Introduce the idea of a summerhouse garden office and its rising popularity.
• Productivity and Work-Life Balance: Explain how a dedicated garden office improves focus and helps maintain work-life boundaries.
• Customization and Comfort: Highlight the ability to personalize the space for comfort and productivity.
• Property Value and Aesthetic Appeal: Discuss the potential to increase property value and enhance garden aesthetics.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Compare setup costs to traditional office expenses, noting long-term savings.
• Environmental and Health Benefits: Mention reduced commuting and health perks from being closer to nature.
• Conclusion: Summarize the benefits and encourage consideration of a summerhouse office.

Keep the tone professional, clear, and persuasive."

Originality.ai

Originality.ai AI Detector — 2.0.1 Standard Score: 99% AI & 1% Human-written

Grammarly AI

Grammarly AI Score: 99% AI & 1% Human-written

AI Content Sample 2: Research Paper

Prompt : " Write a research paper exploring the benefits of using a summerhouse as a garden office, targeting a scholarly audience.

Focus Areas:

• Introduction: Outline the concept and relevance of a garden office in the remote work era.
• Productivity and Work-Life Balance: Analyze the impact on productivity and maintaining work-life boundaries.
• Customization and Comfort: Investigate how summerhouses can be tailored for ergonomic and comfortable workspaces.
• Property Value and Aesthetics: Assess the effect on property value and garden design.
• Economic and Environmental Benefits: Compare costs with traditional offices and explore environmental impacts.
• Legal Considerations: Briefly examine relevant zoning and building regulations.

Structure the paper to provide a clear, data-backed analysis of each point. "

Originality.ai AI Detector — 2.0.1 Standard Score: 100% AI & 0% Human-written

Grammarly AI Score: 93% AI & 7% Human-written

Ai content sample 3: promotional emails.

Prompt : "Craft a promotional email for a summerhouse company offering a 10% discount on first orders over $4,000. The email should emphasize the benefits of adding a summerhouse to a garden, such as creating a functional and stylish space for work or leisure. Highlight the limited-time nature of the offer and encourage immediate action. The tone should be warm, persuasive, and focused on the value and quality of the summerhouses, with a clear call to action to use the discount code at checkout."

Grammarly AI Score: 71%% AI & 29% Human-written

Findings from our Grammarly AI detector analysis with ChatGPT content samples

From the results of this test, the Grammarly AI content detector demonstrated strong capabilities when it was faced with some of the most basic AI content detection, such as marketing content for blog posts.

However, when it came to slightly more complex content, such as promotional emails, where language patterns differ, and the text is shorter, Grammarly’s AI detector struggled compared to Originality.ai .

Searching for more AI detector reviews? Check out our guide on the Best AI Content Detection Tools Reviewed .

Want some additional insight into the efficacy of Originaltiy.ai’s AI detector , check out our meta-analysis of third-party studies .

Further Reading on Grammarly

Looking for further insight into Grammarly? Check out our collection of Grammarly resources:

• Grammarly AI Review
• Grammarly Plagiarism Checker Review
• Grammarly Readability Score Review
• Does Using Grammarly Make My Content Get Detected as AI-Generated?
• Does Grammarly Detect Generative AI and Plagiarism?

FAQs About AI Detection Tools and AI-Generated Content

Is grammarly’s ai content detector free.

Grammarly’s AI content detector is free, and you don’t need a Grammarly account to use it. However, there is a word count limit for each submission.

What is Grammarly’s AI Detector?

Like other AI content detection tools, Grammarly’s AI detector is designed to identify AI-generated content and help users understand what content is human-written text and what isn’t.

Are AI-powered writing tools ethically okay to use?

When used sparingly, in the right context, and with transparency, AI writing tools have the power to be extremely beneficial, helping improve productivity and efficiency. However, when used to try and pass off AI work as your own, ethics comes into question.

More From The Blog

Copywriters and ai — best practices for using ai tools as a writer.

Discover best practices for copywriters and AI, including tips on the most effective ways to use AI as a copywriter while maintaining a unique tone of voice.

ChatZero – How To Use It To Detect AI-Generated Content

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between human and machine-generated content. GPTZero, sometimes called ChatZero, is a powerful tool that seeks to address this problem. It uses advanced algorithms to detect AI-generated content in conversations, allowing users to identify and take action on any suspicious activity.

ChatGPT Browse with Bing - What Websites Can ChatGPT Browse?

OpenAI has re-launched ChatGPT Browse with Bing. This study looks at what websites can ChatGPT browse and which ones it is unable to browse. Not just what websites are blocking Browse with Bing but exploring what websites can you actually have ChatGPT browse and provide useful information from. 

AI Content Detector & Plagiarism Checker for Marketers and Writers

Use our leading tools to ensure you can hit publish with integrity.

AI & Plagiarism Detector for Serious Content Publishers

KNOWLEDGE BASE

© 0000   Originality.ai

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A new ‘AI scientist’ can write science papers without any human input. Here’s why that’s a problem

Scientific discovery is one of the most sophisticated human activities. First, scientists must understand the existing knowledge and identify a significant gap. Next, they must formulate a research question and design and conduct an experiment in pursuit of an answer. Then, they must analyse and interpret the results of the experiment, which may raise yet another research question.

Can a process this complex be automated? Last week,  Sakana AI Labs announced  the creation of an “AI scientist” – an artificial intelligence system they claim can make scientific discoveries in the area of machine learning in a fully automated way.

Using generative large language models (LLMs) like those behind ChatGPT and other AI chatbots, the system can brainstorm, select a promising idea, code new algorithms, plot results, and write a paper summarising the experiment and its findings, complete with references. Sakana claims the AI tool can undertake the complete lifecycle of a scientific experiment at a cost of just US$15 per paper – less than the cost of a scientist’s lunch.

These are some big claims. Do they stack up? And even if they do, would an army of AI scientists churning out research papers with inhuman speed really be good news for science?

How a computer can ‘do science’

A lot of science is done in the open, and almost all scientific knowledge has been written down somewhere (or we wouldn’t have a way to “know” it). Millions of scientific papers are freely available online in repositories such as  arXiv  and  PubMed .

LLMs trained with this data capture the language of science and its patterns. It is therefore perhaps not at all surprising that a generative LLM can produce something that looks like a good scientific paper – it has ingested many examples that it can copy.

What is less clear is whether an AI system can produce an  interesting  scientific paper. Crucially, good science requires novelty.

But is it interesting?

Scientists don’t want to be told about things that are already known. Rather, they want to learn new things, especially new things that are significantly different from what is already known. This requires judgement about the scope and value of a contribution.

The Sakana system tries to address interestingness in two ways. First, it “scores” new paper ideas for similarity to existing research (indexed in the  Semantic Scholar  repository). Anything too similar is discarded.

Second, Sakana’s system introduces a “peer review” step – using another LLM to judge the quality and novelty of the generated paper. Here again, there are plenty of examples of peer review online on sites such as  openreview.net  that can guide how to critique a paper. LLMs have ingested these, too.

AI may be a poor judge of AI output

Feedback is mixed on Sakana AI’s output. Some have described it as producing “ endless scientific slop ”.

Even the system’s own review of its outputs judges the papers weak at best. This is likely to improve as the technology evolves, but the question of whether automated scientific papers are valuable remains.

The ability of LLMs to judge the quality of research is also an open question. My own work (soon to be published in  Research Synthesis Methods ) shows LLMs are not great at judging the risk of bias in medical research studies, though this too may improve over time.

Sakana’s system automates discoveries in computational research, which is much easier than in other types of science that require physical experiments. Sakana’s experiments are done with code, which is also structured text that LLMs can be trained to generate.

AI tools to support scientists, not replace them

AI researchers have been developing systems to support science for decades. Given the huge volumes of published research, even finding publications relevant to a specific scientific question can be challenging.

Specialised search tools make use of AI to help scientists find and synthesise existing work. These include the above-mentioned Semantic Scholar, but also newer systems such as  Elicit ,  Research Rabbit ,  scite  and  Consensus .

Text mining tools such as  PubTator  dig deeper into papers to identify key points of focus, such as specific genetic mutations and diseases, and their established relationships. This is especially useful for curating and organising scientific information.

Machine learning has also been used to support the synthesis and analysis of medical evidence, in tools such as  Robot Reviewer . Summaries that compare and contrast claims in papers from  Scholarcy  help to perform literature reviews.

All these tools aim to help scientists do their jobs more effectively, not to replace them.

AI research may exacerbate existing problems

While Sakana AI  states  it doesn’t see the role of human scientists diminishing, the company’s vision of “a fully AI-driven scientific ecosystem” would have major implications for science.

One concern is that, if AI-generated papers flood the scientific literature, future AI systems may be trained on AI output and undergo  model collapse . This means they may become increasingly ineffectual at innovating.

However, the implications for science go well beyond impacts on AI science systems themselves.

There are already bad actors in science, including “paper mills” churning out  fake papers . This problem will only  get worse  when a scientific paper can be produced with US$15 and a vague initial prompt.

The need to check for errors in a mountain of automatically generated research could rapidly overwhelm the capacity of actual scientists. The peer review system is arguably  already broken , and dumping more research of questionable quality into the system won’t fix it.

Science is fundamentally based on trust. Scientists emphasise the integrity of the scientific process so we can be confident our understanding of the world (and now, the world’s machines) is valid and improving.

A scientific ecosystem where AI systems are key players raises fundamental questions about the meaning and value of this process, and what level of trust we should have in AI scientists. Is this the kind of scientific ecosystem we want?

• Karin Verspoor is the Dean of School of Computing Technologies, RMIT University, RMIT University
• This article first appeared in The Conversation

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Frequently asked questions

How can i use chatgpt for my term paper or bachelor thesis.

You can use ChatGPT to assist in the writing process for your research paper , thesis , or dissertation in the following ways:

• Developing a research question
• Creating an outline
• Generating literature ideas
• Paraphrasing text
• Getting feedback

Frequently asked questions: AI tools

Some real-life applications of reinforcement learning include:

• Healthcare. Reinforcement learning can be used to create personalized treatment strategies, known as dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs), for patients with long-term illnesses. The input is a set of clinical observations and assessments of a patient. The outputs are the treatment options or drug dosages for every stage of the patient’s journey.
• Education. Reinforcement learning can be used to create personalized learning experiences for students. This includes tutoring systems that adapt to student needs, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest customized learning trajectories to enhance educational outcomes.
• Natural language processing (NLP) . Text summarization, question answering, machine translation, and predictive text are all NLP applications using reinforcement learning.
• Robotics. Deep learning and reinforcement learning can be used to train robots that have the ability to grasp various objects , even objects they have never encountered before. This can, for example, be used in the context of an assembly line.

Knowledge representation and reasoning (KRR) is the study of how to represent information about the world in a form that can be used by a computer system to solve and reason about complex problems. It is an important field of artificial intelligence (AI) research.

An example of a KRR application is a semantic network, a way of grouping words or concepts by how closely related they are and formally defining the relationships between them so that a machine can “understand” language in something like the way people do.

A related concept is information extraction , concerned with how to get structured information from unstructured sources.

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to summarize text . This can help you understand complex information more easily, summarize the central argument of your own paper, or clarify your research question.

You can also use Scribbr’s free text summarizer , which is designed specifically for this purpose.

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to paraphrase text to help you express your ideas more clearly, explore different ways of phrasing your arguments, and avoid repetition.

However, it’s not specifically designed for this purpose. We recommend using a specialized tool like Scribbr’s free paraphrasing tool , which will provide a smoother user experience.

Yes, you use ChatGPT to help write your college essay by having it generate feedback on certain aspects of your work (consistency of tone, clarity of structure, etc.).

However, ChatGPT is not able to adequately judge qualities like vulnerability and authenticity. For this reason, it’s important to also ask for feedback from people who have experience with college essays and who know you well. Alternatively, you can get advice using Scribbr’s essay editing service .

No, having ChatGPT write your college essay can negatively impact your application in numerous ways. ChatGPT outputs are unoriginal and lack personal insight.

Furthermore, Passing off AI-generated text as your own work is considered academically dishonest . AI detectors may be used to detect this offense, and it’s highly unlikely that any university will accept you if you are caught submitting an AI-generated admission essay.

However, you can use ChatGPT to help write your college essay during the preparation and revision stages (e.g., for brainstorming ideas and generating feedback).

Although the terms artificial intelligence and machine learning are often used interchangeably, they are distinct (but related) concepts:

• Artificial intelligence is a broad term that encompasses any process or technology aiming to build machines and computers that can perform complex tasks typically associated with human intelligence, like decision-making or translating.
• Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that uses data and algorithms to teach computers how to learn and perform specific tasks without human interference.

In other words, machine learning is a specific approach or technique used to achieve the overarching goal of AI to build intelligent systems.

Traditional programming and machine learning are essentially different approaches to problem-solving.

In traditional programming, a programmer manually provides specific instructions to the computer based on their understanding and analysis of the problem. If the data or the problem changes, the programmer needs to manually update the code.

In contrast, in machine learning the process is automated: we feed data to a computer and it comes up with a solution (i.e. a model) without being explicitly instructed on how to do this. Because the ML model learns by itself, it can handle new data or new scenarios.

Overall, traditional programming is a more fixed approach where the programmer designs the solution explicitly, while ML is a more flexible and adaptive approach where the ML model learns from data to generate a solution.

A real-life application of machine learning is an email spam filter. To create such a filter, we would collect data consisting of various email messages and features (subject line, sender information, etc.) which we would label as spam or not spam. We would then train the model to recognize which features are associated with spam emails. In this way, the ML model would be able to classify any incoming emails as either unwanted or legitimate.

ChatGPT and other AI writing tools can have unethical uses. These include:

• Reproducing biases and false information
• Using ChatGPT to cheat in academic contexts
• Violating the privacy of others by inputting personal information

However, when used correctly, AI writing tools can be helpful resources for improving your academic writing and research skills. Some ways to use ChatGPT ethically include:

• Following your institution’s guidelines
• Critically evaluating outputs
• Being transparent about how you used the tool

Generative AI technology typically uses large language models (LLMs) , which are powered by neural networks —computer systems designed to mimic the structures of brains. These LLMs are trained on a huge quantity of data (e.g., text, images) to recognize patterns that they then follow in the content they produce.

For example, a chatbot like ChatGPT generally has a good idea of what word should come next in a sentence because it has been trained on billions of sentences and “learned” what words are likely to appear, in what order, in each context.

This makes generative AI applications vulnerable to the problem of hallucination —errors in their outputs such as unjustified factual claims or visual bugs in generated images. These tools essentially “guess” what a good response to the prompt would be, and they have a pretty good success rate because of the large amount of training data they have to draw on, but they can and do go wrong.

Supervised learning should be used when your dataset consists of labeled data and your goal is to predict or classify new, unseen data based on the patterns learned from the labeled examples. 

Tasks like image classification, sentiment analysis, and predictive modeling are common in supervised learning.

Unsupervised learning should be used when your data is unlabeled and your goal is to discover the inherent structure or pattern in the data. 

This approach is helpful for tasks like clustering, association, and dimensionality reduction.

I n classification , the goal is to assign input data to specific, predefined categories. The output in classification is typically a label or a class from a set of predefined options.

In regression , the goal is to establish a relationship between input variables and the output. The output in regression is a real-valued number that can vary within a range.

In both supervised learning approaches the goal is to find patterns or relationships in the input data so we can accurately predict the desired outcomes. The difference is that classification predicts categorical classes (like spam), while regression predicts continuous numerical values (like age, income, or temperature).

Generative art  is art that has been created (generated) by some sort of autonomous system rather than directly by a human artist. Nowadays , the term is commonly used to refer to images created by generative AI tools like Midjourney and DALL-E. These tools use neural networks to create art automatically based on a prompt from the user (e.g., “an elephant painted in the style of Goya”).

However, the term has been in use since before this technology existed, and it can also refer to any technique use by an artist (or writer, musician, etc.) to create art according to a process that proceeds autonomously—i.e., outside of the artist’s direct control. Examples of generative art that does not involve AI include serialism in music and the cut-up technique in literature.

Information extraction  refers to the process of starting from unstructured sources (e.g., text documents written in ordinary English) and automatically extracting structured information (i.e., data in a clearly defined format that’s easily understood by computers). It’s an important concept in natural language processing (NLP) .

For example, you might think of using news articles full of celebrity gossip to automatically create a database of the relationships between the celebrities mentioned (e.g., married, dating, divorced, feuding). You would end up with data in a structured format, something like MarriageBetween(celebrity 1 ,celebrity 2 ,date) .

The challenge involves developing systems that can “understand” the text well enough to extract this kind of data from it.

Deep reinforcement learning is the combination of deep learning and reinforcement learning .

• Deep learning is a collection of techniques using artificial neural networks that mimic the structure of the human brain. With deep learning, computers can recognize complex patterns in large amounts of data, extract insights, or make predictions, without being explicitly programmed to do so. The training can consist of supervised learning , unsupervised learning , or reinforcement learning.
• Reinforcement learning (RL) is a learning mode in which a computer interacts with an environment, receives feedback and, based on that, adjusts its decision-making strategy.
• Deep reinforcement learning is a specialized form of RL that utilizes deep neural networks to solve more complex problems. In deep reinforcement learning, we combine the pattern recognition strengths of deep learning and neural networks with the feedback-based learning of RL.

A key challenge that arises in reinforcement learning (RL) is the trade-off between exploration and exploitation . This challenge is unique to RL and doesn’t arise in supervised or unsupervised learning .

Exploration is any action that lets the agent discover new features about the environment, while exploitation is capitalizing on knowledge already gained. If the agent continues to exploit only past experiences, it is likely to get stuck in a suboptimal policy. On the other hand, if it continues to explore without exploiting, it might never find a good policy.

An agent must find the right balance between the two so that it can discover the optimal policy that yields the maximum rewards.

Algorithms and computer programs are sometimes used interchangeably, but they refer to two distinct but interrelated concepts.

• An algorithm is a step-by-step instruction for solving a problem that is precise yet general.
• Computer programs are specific implementations of an algorithm in a specific programming language. In other words, the algorithm is the high-level description of an idea, while the program is the actual implementation of that idea.

Algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) are not the same, however they are closely related.

• Artificial intelligence is a broad term describing computer systems performing tasks usually associated with human intelligence like decision-making, pattern recognition, or learning from experience.
• Algorithms are the instructions that AI uses to carry out these tasks, therefore we could say that algorithms are the building blocks of AI—even though AI involves more advanced capabilities beyond just following instructions.

In computer science, an algorithm is a list of unambiguous instructions that specify successive steps to solve a problem or perform a task. Algorithms help computers execute tasks like playing games or sorting a list of numbers. In other words, computers use algorithms to understand what to do and give you the result you need.

Algorithms are valuable to us because they:

• Form the basis of much of the technology we use in our daily lives, from mobile apps to search engines.
• Power innovations in various industries that augment our abilities (e.g., AI assistants or medical diagnosis).
• Help analyze large volumes of data, discover patterns and make informed decisions in a fast and efficient way, at a scale humans are simply not able to do.
• Automate processes. By streamlining tasks, algorithms increase efficiency, reduce errors, and save valuable time.

Grammarly Premium is one of the pricier writing assistant subscriptions. For example, QuillBot offers many of the same tools and features that Grammarly does at a more reasonable price.

Read our full Grammarly review .

Grammarly corrects spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors while also enhancing other areas of your writing. Similar to other writing assistants, including QuillBot, Grammarly incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and custom-created rules and patterns to revise mistakes and other imperfections in your text.

Grammarly Premium is more expensive than many other writing assistants. QuillBot, for example, provides many of the same tools and features at a more affordable rate.

• Grammarly costs $144 annually, whereas QuillBot costs $99.95 annually.
• Grammarly offers quarterly subscriptions for $60 ($20 per month), whereas QuillBot offers a semi-annual subscription that costs $79.95 ($13.33 per month).
• When billed monthly, Grammarly costs $30 whereas QuillBot costs $19.95

For more information, read our full Grammarly review .

Full access to Originality.ai’s tools requires user registration and payment.

Originality.ai does offer free, limited access to some of its features. For example, its AI checker provides three free scans per day, with a 300-word limit per scan.

Originality.ai offers two pricing options. The pay-as-you-go option costs $30 and includes 3,000 credits, while the base subscription costs $14.95 per month and includes 2,000 monthly credits.

Each credit can be used to check 100 words for plagiarism and AI detection, or 10 words for fact checking.

Writers should strongly consider using the AI checker and additional tools provided by either Originality.ai, QuillBot, or other alternatives. Because of the advancements in AI, many publishers and clients rely on these tools to evaluate and authenticate content. Using these tools allows writers to be proactive and check whether their writing appears to be AI-generated.

Publishers and other businesses managing multiple writers should consider employing the AI checker and various tools offered by Originality.ai, QuillBot, or other alternatives. Despite the advancements in AI, relying solely on AI-generated text can be detrimental to any business. These tools make it easy to ensure that the content you publish is credible, original, and human-written.

Tools called AI detectors are designed to label text as AI-generated or human. AI detectors work by looking for specific characteristics in the text, such as a low level of randomness in word choice and sentence length. These characteristics are typical of AI writing, allowing the detector to make a good guess at when text is AI-generated.

But these tools can’t guarantee 100% accuracy. Check out our comparison of the best AI detectors to learn more.

You can also manually watch for clues that a text is AI-generated—for example, a very different style from the writer’s usual voice or a generic, overly polite tone.

No, it’s not a good idea to do so in general—first, because it’s normally considered plagiarism or academic dishonesty to represent someone else’s work as your own (even if that “someone” is an AI language model). Even if you cite ChatGPT , you’ll still be penalized unless this is specifically allowed by your university . Institutions may use AI detectors to enforce these rules.

Second, ChatGPT can recombine existing texts, but it cannot really generate new knowledge. And it lacks specialist knowledge of academic topics. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain original research results, and the text produced may contain factual errors.

However, you can usually still use ChatGPT for assignments in other ways, as a source of inspiration and feedback.

No, it is not possible to cite your sources with ChatGPT . You can ask it to create citations, but it isn’t designed for this task and tends to make up sources that don’t exist or present information in the wrong format. ChatGPT also cannot add citations to direct quotes in your text.

Instead, use a tool designed for this purpose, like the Scribbr Citation Generator .

But you can use ChatGPT for assignments in other ways, to provide inspiration, feedback, and general writing advice.

ChatGPT is a chatbot based on a large language model (LLM). These models are trained on huge datasets consisting of hundreds of billions of words of text, based on which the model learns to effectively predict natural responses to the prompts you enter.

ChatGPT was also refined through a process called reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF), which involves “rewarding” the model for providing useful answers and discouraging inappropriate answers—encouraging it to make fewer mistakes.

Essentially, ChatGPT’s answers are based on predicting the most likely responses to your inputs based on its training data, with a reward system on top of this to incentivize it to give you the most helpful answers possible. It’s a bit like an incredibly advanced version of predictive text. This is also one of ChatGPT’s limitations : because its answers are based on probabilities, they’re not always trustworthy .

ChatGPT is owned by OpenAI , the company that developed and released it. OpenAI is a company dedicated to AI research. It started as a nonprofit company in 2015 but transitioned to for-profit in 2019. Its current CEO is Sam Altman, who also co-founded the company.

In terms of who owns the content generated by ChatGPT , OpenAI states that it will not claim copyright on this content , and the terms of use state that “you can use Content for any purpose, including commercial purposes such as sale or publication.” This means that you effectively own any content you generate with ChatGPT and can use it for your own purposes.

Be cautious about how you use ChatGPT content in an academic context. University policies on AI writing are still developing, so even if you “own” the content, you’re often not allowed to submit it as your own work according to your university or to publish it in a journal. AI detectors may be used to detect ChatGPT content.

ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, an AI research company. It started as a nonprofit company in 2015 but became for-profit in 2019. Its CEO is Sam Altman, who also co-founded the company. OpenAI released ChatGPT as a free “research preview” in November 2022. Currently, it’s still available for free, although a more advanced premium version is available if you pay for it.

OpenAI is also known for developing DALL-E, an AI image generator that runs on similar technology to ChatGPT.

GPT  stands for “generative pre-trained transformer,” which is a type of large language model: a neural network trained on a very large amount of text to produce convincing, human-like language outputs. The Chat part of the name just means “chat”: ChatGPT is a chatbot that you interact with by typing in text.

The technology behind ChatGPT is GPT-3.5 (in the free version) or GPT-4 (in the premium version). These are the names for the specific versions of the GPT model. GPT-4 is currently the most advanced model that OpenAI has created. It’s also the model used in Bing’s chatbot feature.

AI writing tools can be used to perform a variety of tasks.

Generative AI writing tools (like ChatGPT ) generate text based on human inputs and can be used for interactive learning, to provide feedback, or to generate research questions or outlines.

These tools can also be used to paraphrase or summarize text or to identify grammar and punctuation mistakes. Y ou can also use Scribbr’s free paraphrasing tool , summarizing tool , and grammar checker , which are designed specifically for these purposes.

Using AI writing tools (like ChatGPT ) to write your essay is usually considered plagiarism and may result in penalization, unless it is allowed by your university . Text generated by AI tools is based on existing texts and therefore cannot provide unique insights. Furthermore, these outputs sometimes contain factual inaccuracies or grammar mistakes.

However, AI writing tools can be used effectively as a source of feedback and inspiration for your writing (e.g., to generate research questions ). Other AI tools, like grammar checkers, can help identify and eliminate grammar and punctuation mistakes to enhance your writing.

ChatGPT conversations are generally used to train future models and to resolve issues/bugs. These chats may be monitored by human AI trainers.

However, users can opt out of having their conversations used for training. In these instances, chats are monitored only for potential abuse.

OpenAI may store ChatGPT conversations for the purposes of future training. Additionally, these conversations may be monitored by human AI trainers.

Users can choose not to have their chat history saved. Unsaved chats are not used to train future models and are permanently deleted from ChatGPT’s system after 30 days.

The official ChatGPT app is currently only available on iOS devices. If you don’t have an iOS device, only use the official OpenAI website to access the tool. This helps to eliminate the potential risk of downloading fraudulent or malicious software.

Yes, using ChatGPT as a conversation partner is a great way to practice a language in an interactive way.

Try using a prompt like this one:

“Please be my Spanish conversation partner. Only speak to me in Spanish. Keep your answers short (maximum 50 words). Ask me questions. Let’s start the conversation with the following topic: [conversation topic].”

AI detectors aim to identify the presence of AI-generated text (e.g., from ChatGPT ) in a piece of writing, but they can’t do so with complete accuracy. In our comparison of the best AI detectors , we found that the 10 tools we tested had an average accuracy of 60%. The best free tool had 68% accuracy, the best premium tool 84%.

Because of how AI detectors work , they can never guarantee 100% accuracy, and there is always at least a small risk of false positives (human text being marked as AI-generated). Therefore, these tools should not be relied upon to provide absolute proof that a text is or isn’t AI-generated. Rather, they can provide a good indication in combination with other evidence.

Our research into the best summary generators (aka summarizers or summarizing tools) found that the best summarizer available is the one offered by QuillBot.

While many summarizers just pick out some sentences from the text, QuillBot generates original summaries that are creative, clear, accurate, and concise. It can summarize texts of up to 1,200 words for free, or up to 6,000 with a premium subscription.

Try the QuillBot summarizer for free

Deep learning models can be biased in their predictions if the training data consist of biased information. For example, if a deep learning model used for screening job applicants has been trained with a dataset consisting primarily of white male applicants, it will consistently favor this specific population over others.

Deep learning requires a large dataset (e.g., images or text) to learn from. The more diverse and representative the data, the better the model will learn to recognize objects or make predictions. Only when the training data is sufficiently varied can the model make accurate predictions or recognize objects from new data.

ChatGPT prompts   are the textual inputs (e.g., questions, instructions) that you enter into ChatGPT to get responses.

ChatGPT predicts an appropriate response to the prompt you entered. In general, a more specific and carefully worded prompt will get you better responses.

A good ChatGPT prompt (i.e., one that will get you the kinds of responses you want):

• Gives the tool a role to explain what type of answer you expect from it
• Is precisely formulated and gives enough context
• Is free from bias
• Has been tested and improved by experimenting with the tool

Yes, ChatGPT is currently available for free. You have to sign up for a free account to use the tool, and you should be aware that your data may be collected to train future versions of the model.

To sign up and use the tool for free, go to this page and click “Sign up.” You can do so with your email or with a Google account.

A premium version of the tool called ChatGPT Plus is available as a monthly subscription. It currently costs $20 and gets you access to features like GPT-4 (a more advanced version of the language model). But it’s optional: you can use the tool completely free if you’re not interested in the extra features.

It’s not clear whether ChatGPT will stop being available for free in the future—and if so, when. The tool was originally released in November 2022 as a “research preview.” It was released for free so that the model could be tested on a very large user base.

The framing of the tool as a “preview” suggests that it may not be available for free in the long run, but so far, no plans have been announced to end free access to the tool.

A premium version, ChatGPT Plus, is available for $20 a month and provides access to features like GPT-4, a more advanced version of the model. It may be that this is the only way OpenAI (the publisher of ChatGPT) plans to monetize it and that the basic version will remain free. Or it may be that the high costs of running the tool’s servers lead them to end the free version in the future. We don’t know yet.

ChatGPT is currently free to use. You just have to sign up for a free account (using your email address or your Google account), and you can start using the tool immediately. It’s possible that the tool will require a subscription to use in the future, but no plans for this have been announced so far.

A premium subscription for the tool is available, however. It’s called ChatGPT Plus and costs $20 a month. It gets you access to features like GPT-4 (a more advanced version of the model) and faster responses. But it’s entirely optional: you only need to subscribe if you want these advanced features.

ChatGPT was publicly released on November 30, 2022. At the time of its release, it was described as a “research preview,” but it is still available now, and no plans have been announced so far to take it offline or charge for access.

ChatGPT continues to receive updates adding more features and fixing bugs. The most recent update at the time of writing was on May 24, 2023.

You can access ChatGPT by signing up for a free account:

• Follow this link to the ChatGPT website.
• Click on “Sign up” and fill in the necessary details (or use your Google account). It’s free to sign up and use the tool.
• Type a prompt into the chat box to get started!

A ChatGPT app is also available for iOS, and an Android app is planned for the future. The app works similarly to the website, and you log in with the same account for both.

According to OpenAI’s terms of use, users have the right to reproduce text generated by ChatGPT during conversations.

However, publishing ChatGPT outputs may have legal implications , such as copyright infringement.

Users should be aware of such issues and use ChatGPT outputs as a source of inspiration instead.

According to OpenAI’s terms of use, users have the right to use outputs from their own ChatGPT conversations for any purpose (including commercial publication).

However, users should be aware of the potential legal implications of publishing ChatGPT outputs. ChatGPT responses are not always unique: different users may receive the same response.

Furthermore, ChatGPT outputs may contain copyrighted material. Users may be liable if they reproduce such material.

ChatGPT can sometimes reproduce biases from its training data , since it draws on the text it has “seen” to create plausible responses to your prompts.

For example, users have shown that it sometimes makes sexist assumptions such as that a doctor mentioned in a prompt must be a man rather than a woman. Some have also pointed out political bias in terms of which political figures the tool is willing to write positively or negatively about and which requests it refuses.

The tool is unlikely to be consistently biased toward a particular perspective or against a particular group. Rather, its responses are based on its training data and on the way you phrase your ChatGPT prompts . It’s sensitive to phrasing, so asking it the same question in different ways will result in quite different answers.

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Scribbr’s Plagiarism Checker is powered by elements of Turnitin’s Similarity Checker , namely the plagiarism detection software and the Internet Archive and Premium Scholarly Publications content databases .

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The Scribbr Citation Generator is developed using the open-source Citation Style Language (CSL) project and Frank Bennett’s citeproc-js . It’s the same technology used by dozens of other popular citation tools, including Mendeley and Zotero.

You can find all the citation styles and locales used in the Scribbr Citation Generator in our publicly accessible repository on Github .