AI Tools in Library Databases

This guide provides an overview of AI functionality within our academic resources.

AI tools are continuously being updated, which means the way they generate responses may shift over time. This guide will be refreshed periodically to reflect those changes and, when possible, to include new tools or features.

What's going on?

Some library databases now include built-in AI tools. These aren't separate apps like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, but are features added by companies like JSTOR and ProQuest.

Different databases have different tools. You might see a 'chat' feature in one and a 'summarize' button in another. Be prepared to find a variety of tools, and know that they all function differently.

You'll see things like:

• Quick Summaries. Overviews of an article or book chapter.
• AI Chat/Ask. A box where you can ask a question.
• Topic Suggestions. Related keywords or concepts to use in your research.

Why should you care?

1. Saves time. Skim an article or book chapter faster or get a quick overview of a topic.
2. Preview sources. Decide whether an article or book chapter is useful and find the best sources for your research efficiently.
3. Extra help. These types of research assistants provide another way of interacting with the database content.

What's the catch?

AI is a tool, not a shortcut and requires responsible use.

Problem: AI might be wrong. Some tools go out of their way to be helpful and may provide incorrect information or draw conclusions that are not supported by the underlying sources.

• Solution: Always verify the information against the original source.

Problem: Summaries are just a preview.

• Solution: Read the full article to understand the context and ensure you didn't miss important details or nuances.

Problem: AI can't do the important work for you.

• Solution: AI cannot replace the critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis that are at the heart of academic research. In the end, you are responsible for the accuracy of your work.