This guide is an educational resource provided for informational purposes. The AI tools included here may be approved, under review, or not approved for use by the University of Delaware. Always follow course, department, and university guidelines when using AI tools in academic or research work.
Students: Always check your syllabus or ask your instructor before using AI tools. Not all courses or assignments allow the use of AI, and expectations can vary.
Researchers: Make sure to check your employer's, publisher’s, and/or funder’s guidelines before using AI tools in grant proposals, research writing, or peer review. Many organizations have policies about whether and how generative AI can be used or credited.
Everyone: Always follow the guidance provided by your instructors, departments, employers, and institutions. Do not share secure, private, or proprietary information with AI tools. Review all outputs for accuracy, and follow the terms of use, privacy policies, and data-sharing protocols of both the tools and your organization.
At this stage in the research process, the goal is to turn ideas and patterns from existing literature into a clear research question or testable hypothesis. AI tools can help refine broad statements, identify common variables, and reframe ideas into more specific and measurable directions.